DAR ES SALAAM Gymkhana Club (DGC) golfer Julius Mwinzani laid his hands on October's Monthly Mug showdown silverware at the club last weekend.

The golfer carded 71 net to beat the rest of the performers to the title in men's Division A of the monthly competition aiming at raising the standard of the game locally.

Sheiza Bhanji, playing off five handicaps, settled for second place in the division, having ended with 72 net.

In men's Division B, Godfrey Kilenga had the last laugh, having notched 72 net, and Khalaf Rashid secured second place, even though the player posted a similar score, losing to the former via count-back.

Ally Azam was the men's Division C winner - notching 71 net - and William Ferentinos secured the division's runner-up position after carding 77 net.

Experienced golfer Ayne Magombe won the Ladies Division Silver Category - with the seven-handicap golfer notching 72 net.  

Yasmin Chali, playing off 18 handicaps, took second place with 82 net, whereas Anita Siwale settled for third place with 83 net.

Rashid Rashid was the men's category guest winner, having posted 73 net, and Asteria Kinunda secured the women's category guest winner silverware with 101 net.

Mwinzani went on to garner the men's category Longest Drive title, while Ayne was victorious in the women's category Longest Drive challenge.

Kain Mbaya took the men's Nearest to the Pin prize.

Paul Ngangaji, the Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA) Supervision Officer, was the tournament's closing ceremony guest of honour.

Ngangaji lauded tournament sponsors ICEA Lion General Insurance for overseeing a wonderful showdown.

He further heaped praises on the sponsors for their creativity, promoting insurance, and valuing the government’s call on citizens to participate, promote, and develop sports in the country.

Ngangaji was adamant that apart from registering insurance companies, protecting the insurance consumer is one of TIRA's objectives.

He added that they are delighted insurance companies are creative when it comes to reaching out to golfers who constitute the customers.

Lilian Mbassy, Managing Director of TIB Development Bank, who also serves as one of ICEA Lion's Board Members, affirmed that several other high-profile tournaments are slated to take place.

ICEA Lion General Insurance’s Chief Executive Officer, Jared Awando, expressed gratitude to the DGC for offering his firm the opportunity to sponsor the second Monthly Mug event.

He further appreciated the golfers for taking their time to turn up and battle it out in the competition.

He said they would, next year, bring Kenya and Uganda golfers to play in the competition.

"I want to thank players for taking your time to come and play in the tournament, you could use your time in other endeavours,” he said.

He lauded his team from ICEA Lion for a job well done, adding that he brought them to motivate them to play golf.

Iman Alfayo, the DGC Golf Section's Competition Secretary, thanked players for the good turn out as over 70 golfers took part in the showdown.

The official said the Monthly Mug showdown has been extremely successful for months.

The Division A winner, Mwinzani, appreciated the tournament's sponsors and organizers for facilitating a wonderful event.

The player stated he was delighted by his triumph, adding he had a great day on the course given everything went on smoothly.

Mwizani further thanked his sponsor, Azam, for his support, adding that the backing has been extremely beneficial to the youthful golfer.

"Azam has been quite helpful to me and has boosted my talent, I hardly have a much better way to express my regards, he has helped me play golf in and outside the country," Mwinzani, 18-year-old national junior team golfer, disclosed.

Azam, also one of the October Monthly Mug showdown winners, stated that Mwinzani is a talented youthful golfer, therefore, he feels great that he is the player's sponsor.

The experienced golfer noted that they had embarked on serious preparations for the competition and he appreciates their efforts have paid off.

PHOTO: CORRESPONDENT