Lugalo Juniors Dominate Inaugural Tanzania Junior Open

By Staff Writer

TPDF Lugalo Golf Club emerged as the dominant force at the inaugural Tanzania Junior Open, collecting a string of top honours across the boys’ and girls’ competitions as the two-day championship concluded at Morogoro Gymkhana Golf Club September 6, 2026.

Lugalo juniors produced some of the standout performances of the tournament, claiming both Boys Gross and Girls Gross titles, as well as the Girls Nett crown and several subsidiary awards.

Julius James led the charge in the Boys Gross competition, securing the overall title with a score of 151. Ibrahim Juma finished first runner-up on 153, while host club Morogoro Gymkhana’s Elik Pascal took second runner-up on 154.

Lugalo’s dominance continued in the girls’ competition, with Teresia James producing the tournament’s strongest gross performance to win the Girls Gross title on 141.

Christina Eliud finished second on 162, while Dar Gymkhana’s Vicky Li placed third on 165.

Lissa Hawad added another title for Lugalo after winning the Girls Nett competition with 142, finishing ahead of Kilimanjaro Golf Club’s Anjella E Nmko, who carded 144.

Teresia James completed an impressive individual campaign by also winning the Girls Longest Drive and Girls Nearest to Pin awards.

Mufindi Golf Club, however, made its own mark, with Zakaria Kiyaulilo winning the Boys Nett title on 113. His clubmate Thomasi Gonza was runner-up on 123.

The subsidiary events also produced a mix of winners. Dar Gymkhana’s Kingsley Li won the Boys Longest Drive, while Morogoro Gymkhana’s Ramadhani Omary claimed Boys Nearest to Pin.

In the nine-hole subsidiary competition, Mufindi’s Adili Lumwesa took first place on a gross score of 143, edging TPDF Lugalo’s Nasri Abeid, who also carded 143. Host club player Jackson Vicent finished third on 144.

Beyond the medals and trophies, the inaugural championship was hailed as an important step in developing Tanzania’s next generation of golfers.

Morogoro Gymkhana Club Vice-Chairperson Jacqueline McCormick, who collaborated with the Tanzania Golf Union (TGU) and TLGU in staging the event, thanked players, coaches, clubs, parents, officials, volunteers, sponsors and partners for contributing to its success.

“Our sincere thanks to all the players, coaches, clubs, sporting bodies, parents, volunteers, officials, sponsors and partners who helped make the inaugural event possible,” she said.

TGU Junior Golf Development Committee member Anita Siwale described the tournament as “fantastic”, saying the event provided young players with an opportunity to compete, learn and build friendships.

The championship attracted juniors from TPC Moshi, Dar es Salaam Gymkhana, TPDF Lugalo, Mufindi, Kilimanjaro Wildlife and host Morogoro Gymkhana, creating a valuable platform for young golfers to gain competitive experience.

Supported by The R&A, Pepsi, Vodacom, NCBA, Mkwawa Pure Drinking Water, Habari WiFi, Mosi Mobile Health Services, TGU and Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU), the Tanzania Junior Open is expected to become an important fixture in the country’s junior golf calendar.