SALIM Dilunga ‘Ninja’ fired an impressive one under par 71 to lead by a shot in the first round of the Linael Memorial Golf tournament for professional golfers in Dar es Salaam on Friday.
The tournament teed off at Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) Lugalo Golf Club in Dar es Salaam saw Ninja leading a field of 12 professionals vying for eight slots in the two-day 36- hole qualifying event.
He beat his closest challenger Abdallah Yusuph who carded a par level 72 strokes and the third-placed Hassan Kadio who returned two over par 74 strokes.
In fourth place was Sebastian Mtupili who carved 75 strokes, Rajab Pembe with 78 strokes at sixth, Iddi Mzaki with 79 at seventh while Aidan Nziku, Geofrey Levelian and Athumani Chiundu who each carded 81, tied at the eighth position.
Others in the battle for a place in the final are Richard Mtweve who returned 85, Daudi Helela with 87 and at the bottom is Zimbabwean Farayi Chitengwa who carved 89 strokes.
The tournament was supervised by Lina’s son and professional golfer, Fadhil Nkya who said everything is in place after the end of the first round at Lugalo course.
He said the second round battle will be played today at Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club (DGC) course.
“We have 12 pros who battle for eight slots, after Lugalo we shift to Dar Gymkhana course where pros will be pooled into two groups of four players,” he said.
The tournament, according to Nkya, is meant to commemorate the life of the former national team member, Lina Nkya, and is scheduled to be held from November 11th to 13th this year.
Embracing The Ryder Cup format, Lina Cup Memorial Golf tournament is staged at two Dar es Salaam-based clubs; TPDF Lugalo and Dar Gymkhana.
The event is organised by the Nkya family.
It is honour to the two clubs which Lina Nkya played for in most of her lifetime.
The Clubs will pick their best teams which will contain 36 golf amateurs, 4 pros and 12 caddies.
The format to be used for each category is the format used in the tournament similar to The Ryder Cup ‘Match Play’.
Lina Nkya was among the first Tanzania Lady Golfers and among the founders and leaders of Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU).
