DAR ES SALAAM: TWO top professional golfers, Nuru Mollel and Fadhil Nkya, along with elite amateur Isiaka Daudi, have made history by earning their spots on a prestigious golf trip to Dubai.
Mollel secured his place after finishing at the top of the Lina Professional Golfers (PG) Pro-Am Tour Order of Merit.
Meanwhile, Nkya displayed remarkable determination to clinch the fifth Series title at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club (DGC) over the weekend to book his place.
The inaugural Lina PG Tour 2024 Final at DGC concluded with Nkya delivering a stellar performance to claim victory in the professional category.
He finished in style, leading the field with a total score of +5 over four gruelling rounds of 72 holes.
The tournament, organised by the Said Nkya family in collaboration with the Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU), the Tanzania Professional Golfers Association (TPGA) and Penda Golf Tanzania, was held in honour of Lina Saidi Nkya, a former national ladies team member who passed away on January 19, 2021, in Moshi.
Nkya demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the event, leading from the first day and never looking back.
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He secured his first title with an impressive four-stroke lead, finishing second overall in the Order of Merit after five series.
Capitalising on his home-course advantage, Nkya posted scores of 69, 73, 74 and 73 across the four rounds, finishing with a total of +5.
“I am so grateful to everyone who made this possible, especially the Nkya family. I deeply appreciate all the effort and support put into this event,” he said after his win, dedicating the title to his late mother, Lina Nkya.
The tournament’s top two professionals and the leading elite amateur from the five-series event have earned the opportunity to compete in an international tournament in Dubai early next year.
Yasmin Chali, the tournament director, explained that the event is also referred to as ‘The Road to Dubai’.
Chali expressed gratitude to NCBA Chief Executive Officer, Claver Serumaga for supporting the event and ensuring its success.
“We organised this event to honour our mother, Lina Nkya and to keep her memory alive while promoting the game of golf, which she dearly loved. I want to thank everyone for their outstanding efforts,” Chali added. The DGC series saw Frank Mwinuka of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) Lugalo Golf Club making a late charge with a closing-round score of 70 to finish second with a total of +9.
Isaac Wanyeche of Kili Golf Club in Arusha and DGC’s Hassan Kadio tied for third place at +12, while Mollel, despite an impressive start, struggled in the third round and finished fifth at +16 (70, 72, 84, 74).
Other notable finishers included Abdallah Yusuph (Lugalo, +17), Salum Dilunga (DGC, +22), Elisante Lembris (AGC, +25), Aidan Nziku (DGC, +26) and John Said (AGC, +30).
In the elite amateur category, Isiaka Daudi of Lugalo emerged as the champion with a total score of +14, earning his spot in the Dubai trip by topping the Order of Merit.
The top five amateurs included Enosh Wanyeche (Lugalo, +19), DGC junior Julius Mwinzani (+25), Ally Isanzu (TPC Moshi, +25), and Ramadhani Yassin (+28), all of whom demonstrated great potential.
The event was further elevated by a surprise visit from Tanzania’s professional golf pioneer, Dioniz Malinzi, who witnessed the success of the players he mentored.
Tournament president Said Nkya praised Malinzi’s vision and hard work, which continue to inspire young golfers, including overall Order of Merit winner Nuru Mollel before welcoming TLGU president Queen Siraki to close the event.
