Tanzania-Malawi Senior Golf Tour Strengthens Friendship
By Staff Writer
Senior golfers from Tanzania and Malawi came together in Dar es Salaam for the inaugural Senior Society Golf Tour Tournament, celebrating friendship, competition and regional cooperation.
Held from June 13-14, the two-day event was hosted by the Senior Golfers Society of Tanzania and played at Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club and TPDF Lugalo Golf Club.
More than 20 senior golfers from the two neighbouring countries took part, using the tournament to strengthen ties while enjoying competitive golf.
Tanzania Wins Team Event
The opening round at Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club featured a team competition.
Tanzania's Peter Fiwa and Major General Wilbert Ibuge claimed victory with 41 points.
Malawi's Nyakhoko Nsona and Master Mbale finished second on 40 points, while Hutchson Mthinda and Keta Mulwafu secured third place with 39 points.
Malawi Takes Individual Honours
The tournament concluded with an Individual Stableford competition at TPDF Lugalo Golf Club.
Malawi's Maina Mkandawire produced an excellent round of 41 points to win the overall title. Bashir Shariff finished second on countback with 36 points, while Tanzania's Collins Apuoyo took third place on the same score.
Mkandawire praised the Lugalo course after her victory.
"It is a fantastic but challenging course. Some holes required careful planning, but I really enjoyed playing here," she said.
Golf Promotes Unity
Speaking during the prize-giving ceremony, retired General George Waitara, founder of Lugalo Golf Course, praised the tournament for bringing people together through sport.
He encouraged the visiting golfers to learn Kiswahili, saying it would help strengthen relationships across Africa.
Major General Wilbert Ibuge, Chairman of Lugalo Golf Club, welcomed the Malawian delegation and said they would always be welcome at Lugalo.
Tournament organiser CPA Godfrey Kilenga described the event as an important milestone for senior golf in the region.
"This tournament was about much more than competition. It celebrated friendship, camaraderie and the strong relationship between Tanzania and Malawi," he said.
Inspired by Junior Golf
The Malawian delegation also visited Lugalo's junior golf programme.
Senior Golfers Society of Malawi Vice-Captain Hutchson Mthinda said they were impressed by the number of young golfers receiving training.
"It is encouraging to see such commitment because young players are the future of the game," he said.
He also confirmed that Malawi has started preparations to host the next edition of the tournament.
Golf for Life
Former Malawi national footballer and Nyasa Big Bullets star Kanjeza Kamwendo, now in his 80s, shared how golf has become an important part of his life.
"I started playing golf about 20 years ago and have never regretted it. I only wish I had started earlier," he said.
Bashir Shariff encouraged more people to take up the sport.
"Many people think golf is only for the rich, but that is not true. It is a game that can be enjoyed from childhood to old age," he said.
Representing the Malawian community in Tanzania, Gerald Ndowera praised the organisers and said both countries would continue working together to grow the annual event.
As players departed with promises to meet again next year in Malawi, the inaugural Senior Society Golf Tour had achieved more than producing winners, it strengthened friendships, promoted healthy ageing and reinforced the close relationship between Tanzania and Malawi through golf.