Tanzanian golfers start on a sound note

DAR ES SALAAM: SPIRITED Tanzanian golfers started on a sound note after the first round of the 2023 Uganda Open Golf Championship at the Uganda Capital City Kampala on Wednesday.

The Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) Lugalo golf club of Dar es Salaam golfer Isiaka Daudi and Ally Isanzu from TPC Moshi of Kilimanjaro Region started well on Wednesday’s first round to tie at 6th with six other Ugandan golfers as they carded two-over 74 gross each.

Daudi and Isanzu are tied by Joseph Ngobi, Titus Okwong, Michael Tumusiime, Morris Ashaba, Aggrey Mutaka and Joseph Kasoni all Ugandans.

Another Tanzania player George Sembi also from TPC Moshi carded a 6-over par 78 gross to start joint 25th tied by Burundian duo Jean Hitayezu and Salum Hazikimana and Kenyan Chrisphine Owour. Also hosts Ronald Mugisha, Ernest Rukindo, Vincent Asiimwe and Godfrey Kambale join the list.

The four-round 72-hole battle brings together over 131 top amateurs from Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Sweden, Malawi, USA, Senegal, China and South Sudan and hosts Uganda climax on Saturday.

Tanzania Golf Union (TGU) competition secretary Ernest Sengeu said that the Tanzania golfers have started it very well despite the late Uganda arrival before the showdown.

“Isanzu and Daudi did wonders in the first round. We compliment them on their hard work and determination. They arrived in Kampala on Tuesday night only to go straight to the competition tee off the next morning without course practice,” he said.

Sengeu is optimistic that the youths will stiffen their grip and continue to improve as the tournament takes shape. They were in second-round action at Thursday afternoon’s tee-off.

The trio headed to Uganda after they took part in the national level TPC Golf Open Championship which ended at the TPC course over the weekend whereas Isanzu emerged as overall champions.

Isanzu who struggled with his recent form went to Uganda with good feelings after finding his good form at TPC Open.

The Tanzanian golfers’ campaign searching for their first Uganda Open title will need them to dig even harder to beat hosts’ top contenders including overnight leader Godfrey Nsubuga who scored a stunning 7-under 65 gross and second-placed Ibrahim Bagalana who carded a two-under 70 gross.