Tanzanian Iddy Hussein Madina has had a great year on the course. From a caddy, Madina has risen through ranks to become one of the finest golfers in East Africa. This, 2024, she has won the big tournaments in the region, including Zambia Ladies Open, Uganda Ladies Open, Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Ladies Open plus other tournaments in her home country. TrueGolferPlus had an interview with her in which she shares her golf journey right from her childhood as a caddy at Arusha Gymkhana Golf Club.

Q1. Who is Iddy Hussein Madina and how did you get into golf?

I was born from a humble family in Dodoma on January 6, 1985 from. When finished my Standard 7, I was taken be my neighbor to a golf club to work as a caddy as I waited for my school results. As I was caddies, we were allowed to play golf on Mondays, and it was from here that I built interest in the sport. My results did come out well, and also given the fact I had two younger sisters also joining secondary school, I decided to continue with golf and give my siblings a chance. It was expensive for my parents to keep all of us in school. So, golf became my thing.

Q2. How do you balance your golf career with your personal life, especially considering the travel demands of professional golf?

Basically, I normally select five international events that I need to participate in, I distribute my leave days into those events and the rest of local events, I distribute one or two days per event. For instance, if an event is a 54-holes, I will just need a one day leave as we do not work on Saturday and Sunday.

My life is around work, golf and other activities such as hiking, walking and running half marathons.

Q3. What inspired you to pursue golf and what milestones marked the beginning of your career?

Like earlier said, my neighbor inspired me to play golf. He was a very good player at that time and represented the country in various national and international events. That inspired me to focus on golf hoping to represent my country. In just two years of playing, I brought down my handicap to 9 and got the opportunity to represent my country in East and Central Africa Challenge Trophy that was played in Uganda 2009. That was my first time to travel outside the country; and it was also my first time to fly. Representing my country and being on the winning team the first East and Central Africa event motivated me to work hard on my game. Since then, I have never looked back.

Q4. You have had an impressive year, winning multiple international tournaments. What has been the highlight of your golfing journey so far?

Yes, I have played great golf this 2024. I have participated in only five tournaments outside Tanzania from which I have won three – Zambia Ladies Open, Uganda Golf Club Ladies Open and Uganda Ladies Open for the first time after a long wait. I was excited to finally triumph at Uganda Ladies Open the tournament I have competed since 2009.  For 15 years, I was playing and missing it by few shots. The most painful one was that of 2023 when I lost it on 18^th hole – -but you know, everything is Gods plans.

I lost Tanzania Ladies Open by 2 strokes and came sixth in Kenya Ladies Open but it is okay.

Q5. Winning the big tournaments in East Africa is an incredible achievement. How do you feel about these victories?

It really feels good especially owing to the fact that I have won all these events for the first time. I dedicate UGC Ladies Open to my best friend, Tayana William, who passed on and buried the day I traveled to Uganda. I did not get a chance to attend her burial. I won UGC Ladies Open for her and I dedicate it to her. RIP Tayana. You will always be in my heart.

Q6. Walk us through your training regimen and preparation for major tournaments?

Really, I don’t prepare much due to tight schedules but normally I just hit range for few days, play some few rounds over the weekends and I am ready to go for a fight. When I fail to get time to play, I just do jog either in the morning or in the evening. I do not do any fancy exercises.

Q7. How do you stay mentally focused and prepared for competition?

I normally allocate days that need to practice and I make sure I do that based on the schedule I have come up with. Not to brag but I can say that I am disciplined and follow my schedules as planned.

Q8. What does it mean to you to be one of the top lady golfers in Tanzania and East Africa?

It means a lot considering coming from tough times and managing to be at the top. And I hope for those girls that they wish to be best players will be motivated of my journey and they can strive to be the best than what I have accomplished.

Q9. Of all the tournament victories you have earned, which one stands out most and why?

Kenya Ladies Open 2023. That tournament made me enter in the world rank. The second is All Africa Challenge Trophy that I won in 2018 after a sudden death with a South African Nzeku – that is the highest achievement I have had so far.

Q10. How will your success impact golf development in Tanzania and East Africa?

In Tanzania, my home country, I know many young girls look at me as their role model. They want to play golf like me; others want to play better than me, which is a very good thing since it will keep the game going to enable a great golf future.

Q11. What have been some of the biggest challenges you have faced in your golf career and how have you overcome them?

The biggest challenge is that of getting enough fund to travel for many events.

Currently, I am just allocating some money from my earnings and use them for travelling.

Q12. How do you handle pressure and stress during competitions?

When I am playing, I always stay positive and don’t put pressure on myself. I take each score that comes and I just focus on hole by hole. Most of the time, I don’t have pressure nor stress during competition.

Q13. What lessons have you learned from your experiences, both on and off the course?

Be positive, Gods plan is the best and trust every step you make, either in playing golf or off golf.

Q14. What are your short-term and long-term goals for your golf career? Are you looking to compete internationally or focus on growing the sport in Tanzania?

I am looking at participating in more international games by increasing the number may be to 7. Growing the sport in Tanzania is part of my plan something that I am yet to start. I pray God gives me the resource.

Q15. Why haven’t you given yourself to golf leadership?

Oh! I was the Secretary of Tanzania Ladies Golf Union from 2020 t0 2023. If another opportunity comes up, I will give it a chance.