TANZANIA golfers have started on a sound note, taking a lead after the end of the first round of this year’s Ghana Ladies Amateur Open Championship.
The three-day 54-hole stroke play tournament that teed off on Friday at the Celebrity Golf Club, Sakumono in Ghana, has brought together top ladies from across the continent and it will wind up today.
Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU) competition secretary Hawa Wanyeche told the “Sunday News’ in Dar es Salaam on Saturday that the Tanzania representative started well and she hopes they will keep the pace and bring back home the title.
“We are leading the Ghana Ladies Open, it is a good start and we pray for them to finish strong,” she said.
According to the report, the country’s golf heroine Madina Iddi is leading the board by two strokes.
Madina from Arusha Gymkhana Club (AGC)grossed 77 strokes to put her name in a strong position as she is looking for her second title of this year.
The former national team member, who is also the TLGU vice-president, Ayne Magombe tied at the second position with hosts Constance Awani, and Bernice Esi Dzitowoko after posting 79 gross.
Tanzania is represented by three golfers in the competition. The third one is the TLGU honorary secretary Yasmin Chali who is competing in the bronze category.
Chali said she enjoyed Tanzanian golfers doing well in Ghana.
Ayne was also quoted as saying: “Ladies thank you very much for your support and prayers, we still have two days of stiff challenge ahead of us, we will work hard, stay with us.
Madina headed to Ghana with a good feeling and aiming to emulate her 2018 All-Africa Golf Challenge Trophy for her first-ever individual title at the continental class event where she beat other top African golfers in the biannual competition.
Her good form has also helped Tanzania to finish second overall behind South Africa in the continental-level tournament held in Accra.
Madina also heads into Ghana event looking to add another trophy in her cabinet after putting the country into the spotlight in 2023 when she won Kenya Amateur Ladies Golf Open Championship by two strokes.
The annual 54-hole three-day competition held at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi, Kenya in May this year saw Madina overcoming a stiff challenge to win the title with aggregate +9 over 222 (78,74,70).
Ayne, a former national team member, is also ready to perform strongly as she has found her form now.
