Tanzania lady golfers to feature in ECA Challenge Trophy event

Tanzania is among 11 countries whose golfers will compete in the East and Central All Africa Regional Challenge Trophy (ECA) scheduled to be held in Kigali, Rwanda in November.

Apart from Tanzania, the event will see lady golfers from Burundi, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Reunion, DR Congo, and the host, Rwanda.

The event was introduced first in 2009. Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU) president Queen Siraki said they have started preparations ahead of the 54-hole stroke play.

Siraki said TLGU is proud of having many gifted lady golfers who, they are sure, will represent the country well in Kigali and win the trophy.

She said it was obvious that big names such as Madina Idd, Vicky Elias and Hawa Wanyeche will be in the provisional squad.

According to Siraki each country will field four players in the championship, which is one of the major golf events in the region.

“Tanzania has the best lady golfers who managed to shine in various events on the African continent. Most of them have experience and international exposure. We hope that they will perform well and make us proud,” she said.

She said TLGU will unveil the squad for the event after a special tournament to be held in Dar es Salaam.

Already, Neema Olomi of Arusha Gymkhana golf club has secured a slot in the competition after winning Lugalo Ladies Open a few months ago.

The teams compete in a 54-hole stroke play event played over three days of 18 holes each. The best three gross scores each round count for each country’s score.

The country with the lowest gross score over the three rounds is declared the winner of the team event. There is an individual trophy as well which is awarded to the player with the lowest gross score over the three rounds.