Lugalo’s Daudi claims historic WAGR points
DAR ES SALAAM: IT was heroic feat for golfer Isiaka Daudi who produced a back-toback outstanding performance to win the historic World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points at TPC Course during the Northern Zone Golf Championship over the weekend.
The Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) Lugalo Golf Club’s golfer, Daudi fired one under par 71 strokes in a final-round at TPC Club course here in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region to claim the biggest title of his career by eight shots.
The 23-year youth made a sound recovery from the first round’s four shots deficit to finish with an impressive one-under 215 (73,71,71) gross at the end of the 54- hole tournament that for the first time has been upgraded to the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points event.
“I’m very happy to win this title, but most importantly claiming vital WAGR points, it’s a dream come true,” said Daudi, who used event as a trial for the Africa Amateurs Golf Championship set for tee off later this month in South Africa.
Isiaka has to steady his nerves to seal a victory and be awarded trophy and 1m/- cash prize from the event’s main Sponsor, TPC Limited.
He went to yesterday’s final round with two shots lead after grossing an aggregate par level 144 strokes from two rounds, had three birdies at first nine, but they were cancelled by string of four bogeys to one over.
Daudi added two shots with double-bogeys at number 11 hole par-3 that saw him going three over. But after that, he showed calmness to sink four birdies on number 12, 13, 17 and 18 to seal a victory by one-under par 215 strokes.
Host youthful star Ibrahim Mtemi, who played in pressure group alongside the champion, beat other experienced players to finish overall runner up with seven over par aggregate 223 (75,70,78) strokes to win 700,000/- prize money.
National team member Ally Isanzu, also from TPC club, finished third after returning triple 75 to end with total 9-over. Like Daudi Isanzu, is also preparing for the first ever South Africa Amateurs battle in which two Tanzania golfers have earned invitation from the World Golf Governing Body The Royal Golf Club (R&A) of Scotland.
Though, it went from better to worse for Day one leader George Sembi as his four shots lead saw him finish 5th overall with 22 shots behind the winners after returning 11-over par (69,77,81).
Others in the top- seven list that pocketed cash prizes are Elisha Mbwambo 12-over (77,75,76) and Marius Kajuna from Lugalo 14-over (73,78,79). In the ladies category, Neema Olomi from Arusha Gymkhana Club (AGC) emerged the winner with total 16-over (80,78,74), followed by Loveness Mungure from Kili Golf Club who finished second with 19-over 81,79,75), while Vicky Elias Lugalo also with 19-over (79,76,80) finished third.
However, Elias had difficult tournament after she sustained a muscle injury during Friday’s first round, and had to endure playing with right leg pain.
Elias and Madina Iddi from AGC are also preparing for the South battle in ladies category. Madina, though she missed the 54 showdown due to work responsibilities, played in the subsidiaries category battle.
