Golfers see the splendour of Serengeti National Park course

FORT IKOMA: GOLFERS taking part in a tournament at the Serengeti National Park course have hailed the facility for offering a unique experience due to its natural surroundings, which differ from those of conventional golf courses.

The tournament, which started on October 15, has attracted golfers from within and outside the country and will conclude on October 18, when the golf course is officially launched.

Speaking at the course located at Fort Ikoma, in Serengeti District, Mara Region, on the outskirts of Serengeti National Park, Director of Presidential Communications at State House, Bakari Machumu, who is also a golfer at Lugalo Golf Club, said the facility provides a different playing experience due to its dusty terrain and wildlife moving around nearby areas.

He said this distinguishes the course from many conventional golf facilities, which have well-maintained grass surfaces, making the Serengeti course a unique destination for golfers.

Machumu said the establishment of the golf course adds value to Serengeti National Park as the government seeks to attract eight million tourists through various forms of tourism, including sports, meetings and nature-based tourism.

He commended the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) for implementing President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s vision of expanding tourism opportunities by linking sports with environmental conservation.

He said the initiative also supports the country’s ambition to attract eight million tourists as Tanzania moves towards implementing the Tanzania Development Vision 2050.

“Globally, there is what is known as the sports economy, but football has dominated in our country, although other sports are gradually emerging. Athletics is growing, and now we are beginning to see our golfers winning. These are efforts to promote the country,” he said.

Machumu said Serengeti National Park is renowned as a major tourism destination, adding that the golf course further enhances its appeal by offering visitors opportunities to enjoy wildlife, birdwatching, sports and the natural environment.

He said such initiatives could contribute to Tanzania’s target of attracting eight million tourists by diversifying tourism products, including sports tourism, meetings and nature-based tourism.

He added that visitors could incorporate sporting activities into their trips, thereby increasing the value of existing attractions and broadening the scope of sports tourism in the country.

Comparing the Serengeti course with golf facilities in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, Machumu said conventional courses often have well-maintained grass surfaces that make it easier for players to hit their shots.

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However, he said the Serengeti course presents different playing conditions because of its dusty terrain, requiring golfers to adapt their techniques to the environment.

He said these differences make playing golf in Serengeti a distinctive experience, particularly for golfers accustomed to conventional courses.

Meanwhile, Joseph Tango, a golfer from Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club, said combining golf with wildlife tourism in Serengeti National Park was a positive step that could increase the number of visitors to the park.

He said the facility gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy sports and natural attractions at the same time, while family members who do not play golf can explore areas with wildlife.

Tango added that the arrangement allows visitors to engage in activities that suit their interests while visiting Serengeti.

Tango, who said he had visited Serengeti several times, said playing golf at the course was a first-time experience for him.

He said the abundance of wildlife, attractive scenery and natural surroundings were some of the features that make the course unique.

Junior golfer Jayden Emmanuel from Mwanza, aged nine, said he became interested in golf after watching people play the sport, which inspired him to follow it and seek an opportunity to participate.

“I enjoy playing golf here because I have the opportunity to gain experience playing the sport at this unique venue,” he said.

He said that although he enjoys playing football more, he was happy to have the opportunity to play golf and encouraged other children to be confident and not be afraid to try new sports.