Triumphs and aces: Day 2 brings excitement to military golf championships
VICTORIA FALLS (ZIM) - Another glorious day in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe welcomed players to the second round of the 15th World Military Golf Championships held at the Elephant Hills Golf Resort. With tourist helicopters buzzing overhead, ferrying visitors to the nearby spectacular falls, and a continued backdrop of amazing wildlife, the competition began to shape up as several players and teams made their move.
As a result of a strong second day, Team Germany has taken the lead in the Men’s Team Competition with 610 strokes, slipping past the first-day leader Canada (616). The Kingdom of Bahrain (626) has moved into third place ahead of the Netherlands (635) and France (642). In the Ladies’ Competition, France has taken a commanding lead with a score of 325. Meanwhile, Tanzania and Canada are tied with 363, closely followed by the Netherlands (364) and the host nation Zimbabwe (369). Team scores are calculated by taking the four best scores each day for the men, while the ladies count their top two.
Individually, the Men’s Competition is shaping up to be a great tournament with several top players near the top of the leaderboard. Canadian Sgt Joel Simms leads with 146, just one stroke ahead of Netherlands Major Berend den Engelman (147). A trio of Germans, Staff Sergeant Niklas Starcevic (150), Corporal Yannic Kock (151), and Captain Fabian Obieglo (153), are within striking distance.
In the Ladies’ competition, defending champion Private Pauline Stein of France is well in front, shooting a stellar 73 for a two-day total of 150. Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel Jennifer Jones and French Captain Maude Fouquet are tied for second with 175, while Tanzanian Corporal Khadija Selimani Lusakile is close behind with 180.
The Men’s Senior Division is extremely close, with three players tied at the halfway point: Canadian Master Warrant Officer Michael Boozan, Kenyan Warrant Officer 2 K.K. Mabele, and Kingdom of Bahrain Sergeant Sultan Mubarak, all at 157. Spanish Teniente Avelino Mora Calco (158) and Kingdom of Bahrain Warrant Officer Nasser Yaqoob (159) are also in close contention.
Despite the amazing scenery and wildlife sightings, the true highlight of the day came from Kenya’s Sergeant Val A. Ouma, who achieved a career milestone rarely seen in competition play: a hole-in-one on the challenging and water-surrounded fifteenth hole. This remarkable feat was the first ace made in CISM WMC play by a woman, leading to joyous celebrations throughout the tournament. Congratulations to Sgt Ouma!
Day Three, traditionally known as “Moving Day” in golf circles, has just commenced and promises to set the stage for an exciting final round. Best of luck to all players!
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department)
