Lavingia wins Corporate Masters Golf tourney title

Dar es Salaam Gymkhana golfer Jiten Lavingia has emerged the overall winner of the 2023 Corporate Master Golf tournament.

Lavingia amassed 41 stableford points to beat the other 145 golfers who competed in the tournament at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana course.

The winner was awarded a return business air ticket to any destination from Qatar Airline in the thrilling tournament that also featured prominent dignitaries such as the Minister of Constitutional and Legal Affairs Damas Ndumbaro and Tanzania Golf Union (TGU) chairman Gilman Kasiga. Also on the list were Queen Siraki, who is president of the Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU), Clever Serumaga, who is chief executive officer of NCBA Bank, Manase Kawoloka, who is CEO of Heritage Insurance, and Joseph Tango, who is a former TGU chairman.

Speaking with The Citizen, Lavingia, who is the owner of a travel company known as Svai Luxe Escapes Limited, said he faces stiff competition from other golfers who also target the top honors.

“I am very happy to win this year’s title. It was not an easy task because most of the golfers targeted the top honor. I had to be very keen all the time during the competition,” said Lavingia.

The event saw Mary-Ann Schreiner win the nearest-to-the-pin title in the women’s category, while Venance Austin won in the men’s category.

Lugalo’s famous lady golfer, Vicky Elias, won the longest drive on hole number eight, while on the men’s side, Lavingia won the title.

In the juniors’s category, Aima Omar won after collecting 18 points in boys, and Christopher Botha won in boys’ after garnering 39 points.

In the bronze women’s category, Tomoko Miyamoto won on counterback against Mary-Ann Schreiner. All collected 38 points.

In the silver division for ladies, Haemung Rhee won with 40 points and was followed by Mary Anne Mugo, who collected 39 points.

In Division A, Ernest Sengeu scooped the top award on countback after collecting 38 points, while Hendri Lombard placed second after collecting 38 points.

In division B, Gideon Janse van Rensburg won on countback against Pradeer Srivastave. All collected 40 points.

In division C, Mikael Anderson won on countback against Mohammed Dewji after all, collecting 37 points.

The main competition’s longest driver, David Jansen, won the title with 287 metres.

Jansen was awarded a return business ticket to any destination from Qatar Airways.

The event’s company winners were Metl with 135 points and Cfao with 137 points in the first position.