DAR ES SALAAM: THE Final Series of the Lina PG Tour, underway at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club (DGC), is delivering surprises, eclipsing the drama of the previous four series.
As the Road to Dubai reaches its climax, the competition has intensified; bringing twists and turns in both the elite amateur and professional categories.
With the tournament’s conclusion set for tomorrow on the par-71 DGC course, the race for the Lina PG Tour crown remains fiercely contested. Mollel dominates professional category Nuru Mollel of Arusha Gymkhana Club (AGC), the current leader in the professional Road to Dubai point standings, remains well-positioned to claim the ultimate prize.
Mollel’s dominance throughout the tour, including his victory in the fourth round held in Moshi in September, solidifies his status as the player to beat.
His 1-2-1-1 record places him ahead of his closest rival, Fadhili Nkya, who finished second overall in the standings. Nkya, however, is determined to challenge Mollel’s supremacy.
He led the first round of the final series with an impressive 69, one stroke ahead of Mollel. The showdown between the two pros is expected to intensify as they vie for the top spot. The overall winners of the fiveround series – including the top three professionals and one elite amateur – will earn coveted spots in an international tournament in Dubai, raising the stakes even higher.
Mollel’s consistency throughout the tour makes him a favourite, but Nkya’s determination to clinch victory in the final round keeps the battle alive.
Nkya, who previously tied with Mollel in the first round at TPC Club before losing in a suddendeath playoff, could bolster his campaign with a win tomorrow.
Other notable players in the professional category include Hassan Kadio, winner of the second series in Morogoro, and Isaac Wanyeche from Kili Golf Club in Arusha, who remains a contender despite facing tough competition.
Amateur category a fierce battle
The amateur category has witnessed new winners in almost every round, making it an unpredictable contest heading into the final round. Enosh Wanyeche of TPDF Lugalo Golf Club claimed victory in the fourth round in Moshi, joining previous winners Jay Nathwani (Arusha Gymkhana Club) and Ally Isanzu (TPC Moshi and Morogoro).
Isanzu and his closest rival, Isiaka Daudi of Lugalo, are neckand-neck in the standings. Isanzu, with a 1-1-5-2 record, holds a slight edge over Daudi’s 2-2-4-2 performance.
Reflecting on his performance, Isanzu said, “I don’t know what happened on the final day of the tournament. I just couldn’t play well. I hope to do better in the final round.” The final round in Dar es Salaam will ultimately decide the overall champion in the amateur category. Adding to the excitement, juniors Karim Moshi (Lugalo), Julius Mwinzani (DGC) and Ibrahim Juma (Lugalo) have shown remarkable form, earning spots among the top five on the last series leaderboard.
High stakes and generous prizes
The winner in the professional category takes home a cash prize of 6.8m/- in each series as the top ten also went home with heft cash prizes, while the amateur champion receives 2.2m/-.
These prizes aim to support players and promote competitive golf in Tanzania. Organised by the Said Nkya family in collaboration with the Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU), Tanzania Professional Golfers Association (TPGA) and Penda Golf Tanzania has been also introduced as part of activities to remember the former national team player Lina Saidi Nkya, who passed away on January 19, 2021, in Moshi.
As the Road to Dubai reaches its final stretch, all eyes are on the contenders vying for glory. With only two rounds remaining, the competition promises an unforgettable finish.
