Yusuf wins Lugalo Open’s pros title

HOSTS Abdallah Yusufu was unstoppable yesterday when he beat top contenders to win this year’s Lugalo Open title for  professional golfers’ category.

Over 16 pros from across the country, battled it out for the cash prize in the 18- hole showdown at the Tanzania People’s Defense Forces (TPDF) Lugalo Golf Club of Dar es Salaam on Friday.

Yusufu carded an impressive one-under par 71 strokes to win the title by four shots in the annual golf tournament jointly organised by Tanzania Golf Union (TGU) and TPDF Lugalo club.

Professional golfers competed as invited players in the tournament specially organised for the amateur players.

The event’s overall runner up was the former national team coach, Hassan Kadio from Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club (DGC) who carded 75 shots while Frank Mwinuka who grossed 77 strokes finished third overall.

Salum Dilunga of Lugalo and Arusha Gymkhana Club’s John Leonce tied on the fourth position after they both grossed 78 strokes.

Isaac Wanyeche of Kili Golf Club from Arusha finished fifth overall with 80 strokes.

Other golfers in the top-ten list are Athumani Chiundu, Geoffrey Levelian, Richard Mtweve (Lugalo), and Rajab Iddi (DGC) who each grossed 81 strokes.

Other pros who participated in this year’s event with their scores are Bryceson Nyenza, Nuru Mollel, Jimmy Mollel (84), Iddi Mkazi (87), Daudi Helela (Lugalo) and Aidan Nziku (89).

Lugalo Open for the amateur golfers officially started yesterday and climaxes today.

Over 150 men and ladies were on course from Saturday battling for a two-day 36 holes event.

The Minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology Nape Nnauye is scheduled to grace the Lugalo Open during the prize-giving ceremony to be held late today after the end of 36-hole battle.

Lugalo Chairman Michael Luwongo  thanked minister and the main sponsor NBC Bank and co-sponsors Pespi, Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania Limited (METL) and Serena Hotels for supporting the tournament.

NBC Bank, the Director of Retail Banking, Elibariki Masuke for the third time in a row, they are sponsoring a golf tournament at Lugalo and offering 10m/-sponsorship for the tournament.