Golf body names team for Bujumbura tourney

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania Golf Union (TGU) has unveiled a four-member squad for the Region Four Challenge Trophy scheduled for early June in Bunjumbura, Burundi.

Tanzania is among 14 countries that will field golfers in the five-day tournament to be held at the Bujumbura Golf Club.

Formerly known as East African Challenge Trophy, the tournament will also feature golfers from Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia.

Also on the list are Uganda, Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti, Sudan, Comoro, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and hosts Burundi.

Victor Joseph, who finished runner-up in the 2017 Rwanda Open, is among the quartet making up the squad, according to the TGU president, Chris Martin.

Also on the list are Abas Adam, Richard Mtweve and Ally Mcharo.

Unveiling the team yesterday, Martin said players have what it takes to defy the odds and return home as new Challenge Trophy champions.

For his part, Mcharo – a fast-rising golfer – had similar views, adding that he is well drilled to shine in the Bujumbura event.

The golfers earned calls to the national squad after sparkling in a special tournament held in Arusha over the weekend.

Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club’s Joseph emerged the winner of the tournament held at the Arusha Gymkhana Club course on Saturday.

“The weather was cold but I must admit that the course was good and the greens were flowing well,” said Joseph after the championship.

“My main challenger Ally Mcharo,” added Joseph, who is among the best amateur golfers in the country at the moment. TPC Club’s Mcharo netted 379 strokes to finish second and Abbas Adam finished third.

Other players who competed in the tournament are Richard Mtweve, George Sembi, Isihaka Daud, Godfrey Gwacha, Babu Laizer, Adam Said and Aidan Nziku.