Tanzanian golfers claimed first place in the overall standings at the Ladies Coast Open Golf Tournament in Mombasa, Kenya, over the weekend, thanks to their exceptional performances. National team members Neema Olomi from Arusha Gymkhana Club and Vicky Elias from the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) Lugalo Golf Club showcased their skills despite the challenging conditions during the five-series event, held across various courses along the Mombasa coastline.
Olomi secured second place overall with 397 points from the five series, finishing just behind the host, Mercy Nyanchama, who led with 387 points. Elias, competing among more than 100 players from the East African Community (EAC), which includes Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, finished third with 407 points. Tanzania’s dominance was further highlighted when Yasmin Chali, the Honorary Secretary of the Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU), won the net category at the Mombasa Club series with a net score of 72.
Reflecting on her performance, Olomi credited her success to rigorous training and meticulous preparation for the demanding tournament schedule. “I’m playing really well right now because of the extensive training I’ve undergone, but equipment is still an issue,” she remarked. However, she expressed disappointment that the final series at Nyali Golf & Country Club was cut short due to darkness. Despite this, she noted that the competition was well-organized overall. The large field of nearly 180 golfers at Nyali made it difficult to complete the second round of the 36-hole competition before dusk, so only the first round’s results were counted.
In the final round at Nyali, Kenyan golfer Nyanchama topped the leaderboard with a gross score of 75, while Olomi placed fifth with a score of 78. Elias finished eighth with a score of 79. Throughout the competition, Tanzanian golfers maintained a strong presence. Olomi finished second in the Vipingo Ridge 18-hole event and won the gross championship at the Diamonds Leisure leg at Leisure Lodge Golf Club in Mombasa. At Mombasa Club, Olomi secured second place with a gross score of 77, once again just behind Nyanchama, who shot a 75.
Elias’s performance steadily improved over the course of the series, finishing fourth at Mombasa Club with a score of 78 and third at the Diamonds Coast Open with a total score of 83. Nyanchama led the field at the beginning of the tournament at Malindi Golf and Country Club with a gross score of 78, while Kenya’s Naomi Wafula won the second leg at Vipingo Ridge with a gross of 73, with Olomi following closely in second.
Overall, Tanzanian golfers demonstrated remarkable skill and resilience, solidifying their growing influence in regional competitions.
