How Mollel sees Lina PG Tour Road to Dubai at last
THE Road to Dubai has become a realistic goal for Nuru Mollel after his commanding victory in the fourth round of the Lina Professional Golfers (PG) Tour Pro-Am tournament, held in Moshi, Kilimanjaro, a week ago.
Mollel representing Arusha Gymkhana Club (AGC) performance now places him firmly at the top, boasting a record of 1-2-1-1 in the professional category, ahead of his closest competitor, Fadhil Nkya of Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club (DGC), who finished second overall.
The five-round tournament, dubbed ‘The Road to Dubai,’ offers three top pros an opportunity to participate in an international tournament in Dubai, raising the stakes as the tour approaches its final stage.
With just one round remaining, Mollel appears unbeatable, barring any major surprises in the fifth and final round, scheduled for November in Dar es Salaam.
Nkya had tied with Mollel in the first round at TPC Moshi Club, but eventually lost in a sudden death playoff. Despite his strong start, Nkya’s chances of overcoming Mollel now depend on a spectacular performance in Dar es Salaam’s fifth series.
Hassan Kadio, who won the second round in Morogoro earlier this year, has since struggled to stay within the top five, diminishing his chances of making a comeback in the final round.
Amateur category: A tight contest
The amateur category has proven to be highly competitive, with different winners emerging in each round.
Enosh Wanyeche from Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) Lugalo Golf Club of Dar es Salaam, claimed victory in the fourth round, joining Jay Nathwani of Arusha as the third-round winner after Ally Isanzu dominated the first two rounds at TPC and Morogoro Club.
Heading into the final round, the race remains tight between Isanzu and his closest challenger, Isiaka Daudi of Lugalo for the battle of a slot for the Dubai trip.
Isanzu leads slightly with a record of 1-1-5-2, while Daudi trails closely with a 2-2-4-2 performance. The final showdown in Dar es Salaam will determine the ultimate champion.
The competition’s unpredictability was highlighted by the absence of top contenders from the third round, including Jay Nathwani, Aliabass Kermali and Garv Chadder from AGC, who were unable to compete in the fourth round, allowing Isanzu and Daudi to regain momentum.
A surprise visit by golf pioneer Malinzi
A notable moment during the fourth round came when Tanzanian golf pioneer, Dioniz Malinzi, made a surprise visit to the tournament. Malinzi, who has played a crucial role in developing young talent in the country, witnessed many of his proteges dominate the professional category, including the overall winner, Mollel.
Other notable players in the top ten, such as Elisante Lembris, John Said, Isaac Wanyeche, Frank Mwinuka and George Sembi, are all products of Malinzi’s youth development program, which has been active for two decades.
In a brief speech, Malinzi encouraged the players and was quoted as saying, “Play golf seriously. It is your employment,” emphasising the importance of dedication to the sport.
Mollel, Neema Olomi and others expressed gratitude for Malinzi’s role in their careers. Olomi, who is set to represent Tanzania in the All-Africa Golf Championship in Morocco this November, credited Malinzi for her success.
“He helped me become what I am today. I was his caddie before becoming a regular player,” she shared.
“It is good to see him again on the golf event, I feel like rewarding him for his tireless efforts to promote and groom golfers in the country,” echoed Lembris, one of the professional golfers doing well in his career.
In a final twist, the fourth round saw a strong showing from Lugalo Golf Club’s youth Karim Ismail, who led for three days before falling short on the last day of the tournament.
His impressive performance signals a rising talent to watch in the future.
The final push to Dubai
As the Lina PG Tour heads toward its final round, all eyes will be on Mollel, who remains the favourite to claim the overall title and secure his spot in Dubai.
However, the competition in both the professional and amateur categories promises excitement, with challengers like Nkya, Isanzu and Daudi still within striking distance.
As the stage is set for the grand finale in Dar es Salaam, the competition will undoubtedly reach new heights.
