Pros, Elite golfers to compete in Lina Pro-Am Tour in Moshi
Tanzania’s up and coming lady golfer, Shufaa Twalib, in past action. Shufaa will compete in the Lina Pro-Am Tour in Moshi. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- The tournament will feature 20 professional golfers and 49 elite amateurs. After the first 36 holes, a cut will be made, leaving 12 professional and 12 elite amateur golfers to battle it out for the lucrative prizes.
Dar es Salaam. At least 120 golfers are set to compete in the Lina Professional Golf Tour and Elite Amateurs event, known as the Lina Pro-Am, which tees off today and runs through June 1 at the TPC Club Golf Course in Moshi. The announcement was made by the Tour’s Director, Yasmin Chali, in an interview with The Citizen yesterday.
According to Yasmin, the tournament will feature 20 professional golfers and 49 elite amateurs. After the first 36 holes, a cut will be made, leaving 12 professional and 12 elite amateur golfers to battle it out for the lucrative prizes.
“The top 10 professional golfers will receive cash prizes, and the top five elite amateurs will also be awarded,” said Yasmin.
The professionals and elite amateurs will compete over 72 holes in a stroke play format, while an additional 72 golfers from Division A, B, ladies’ categories (Silver and Bronze), juniors, and seniors will take part in a 36-hole stroke play competition.
“All preparations are complete, and the golfers are in high spirits. We expect a thrilling event featuring notable players such as Ally Isanzu, Isiaka Daudi, Fadhyl Nkya, Jay Nathwani, Madina Idd, Vicky Elias, Neema Olomi, and rising stars Hadija and Shufaa Twalib,” Yasmin added.
Beyond being a competitive platform, the Lina Pro-Am Tour is held in memory of the late Lina Said Nkya, affectionately known in the golfing community as the “Mother Golfer.” Lina passed away on January 19, 2021, in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region.
Lina Nkya played a pivotal role in the transformation of the renowned Kobe Golf Tournament, elevating it from a local affair into a nationally recognized competition over her 11-year involvement.
She was especially known for pioneering the inclusion of caddies as players, a move that contributed to the development and inclusivity of golf in Tanzania.
The Lina Pro-Am not only commemorates her legacy but also aims to improve the standards of both professional and amateur golf in the country by offering a platform for top-tier competition and skill development. This year’s edition is the second in the series, with the third event scheduled to be held later this year at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club.
