TZ Golfers Deliver Strong Show in Kenya
By Staff Writer
Tanzania’s golfers delivered a strong performance on the regional stage as the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing (SDT-EAS) 5 ABSA Invitational concluded on Tuesday, August 18, at Ruiru Sports Club in Kenya.
Among the standout Tanzanian performers were professionals Nuru Mollel of Arusha Gymkhana Club and Isaac Wanyeche of Kili Golf Club, alongside elite amateur Madina Hussein of Arusha Gymkhana Club.
The 54-hole, three-day competition brought together professional and elite amateur golfers from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana and Ethiopia, providing an important platform for players to gain high-level competitive experience and pursue further progression in the sport.
Mollel produced the best finish among the Tanzanian contingent, completing the tournament in overall sixth place at one-under-par 209.
He opened with a 69 in the first round, followed by a 72 in the second, before closing strongly with a two-under-par 68 in the final round on the par-70 course.
His final-round surge lifted him into the top 10 and underlined his consistency throughout the three-day championship.
For Wanyeche, the tournament ended with a 12-over-par 222, placing him 28th overall. He carded rounds of 74, 73 and 75 to complete all 54 holes.
Elite amateur female Madina Hussein also completed the full tournament, finishing 26th on 11-over-par 221 after rounds of 75, 72 and 74.
For Madina, however, the result carries particular significance. Making the cut was a major breakthrough after three previous attempts, giving the Tanzanian golfer valuable experience competing against a strong regional field of men’s professionals and elite amateurs.
Only 30 golfers advanced to the final round from the 60-player starting field. Madina was the only female elite amateur to make the cut.
The tournament was ultimately won by Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera, who finished at an impressive 10-under-par 200 after rounds of 69, 66 and 65.
Kenya’s Godwin Okoko was second on seven-under-par 203, while fellow Kenyan Mike Kisia finished third at six-under-par 204.
Mollel’s sixth-place finish, Wanyeche’s completion of all 54 holes and Madina’s breakthrough in making the cut represent another encouraging showing by Tanzanian golfers in an increasingly competitive East African professional and elite amateur golf environment.
The SDT East Africa Swing continues to provide an important pathway for golfers in the region, offering them opportunities to test themselves against strong international fields while gaining the experience required to progress to higher levels of competitive golf.