TZ golfer shines at Kenya Open

What you need to know:

Over 50 top female golfers from three countries battled it out for top honours at the tournament, which took place at three courses, namely Leisure, Nyali and Mombasa golf clubs in Mombasa.


Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian’s Angel Eaton lived up to her reputation as one the best female golfers in Africa when she emerged the overall winner at the 2017 Kenya Ladies Coast Open tournament.

Over 50 top female golfers from three countries battled it out for top honours at the tournament, which took place at three courses, namely Leisure, Nyali and Mombasa golf clubs in Mombasa.

Eaton, a member of Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club, claimed the top honour with 152 gross to lift the Nyali Bowl, the main event in the Ladies Coast.

The gifted golfer was consistent in the championship, launching her campaign with 75 gross in the opening day at Leisure Lodge. She also carded 86 and 73 gross at Vipingo Ridge and Mombasa club.

“The game was tough but I managed to keep my composure and win. I enjoy playing in difficult situations,” said Eaton.

“I am happy for the organisers for staging the tournament and I hope I will be here to defend my title next year,” the former national women’s golf team skipper told The Citizen on phone from Mombasa yesterday.

Lina Francis, another Tanzanian player at the tournament, finished third overall with 161 gross, while Kenyan Wanjiru Karume was in fourth place on 165 gross after beating Esther Chumo of Eldoret on countback. Also going to Tanzania was the silver Division nett title where Naomi Joseph carded nett 146 to win by three shots, outshining Kenyans Terry Odoo and Esther Chumo both on 149 nett strokes.

Nyali Club captain Joyce Masai (Kenya) finished in fourth place with 150 nett.

It was only in the second division (bronze) where the Kenyans dominated with Teresia Wainaina from Ruiru Sports Club posted gross 190 to beat Tanzania’s Tayana William by three shots as Thika’s Petty Kigwe on 195 was third.

Grace Karanja carded 197 gross to finish fourth. The nett title remained at Nyali with Rapthi De Silva on 151 nett after a countback with Wainaina and Alyssa Jamal, while Nilam Shah was fourth on 153 nett.

The Tanzanians, however, made a clean sweep in the gross and nett rounds, where Neema Olomi and Ayne Magombe won the first and second rounds gross on 82 and 80; Mwanaidi Ibrahim and Gloria Mbaguta won the first and second round nett on 73 each.

The combination of Madina Idd and Naomi Joseph won the team title on 295 gross, just a shot better than Angel Eaton and Ayne Magombe on 296.