By DANIELLA APIYO

Kenya National Golf Team to this year’s East African Challenge was named yesterday and is rearing to go as the golfers seek to dethrone Uganda of the title they have possessed for three straight years.

The event scheduled for August 22-26 in Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club, Tanzania brings together six countries namely Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia, all battling out for the coveted East Africa Golf trophy.

A team of eight golfers, 6 senior players and the top 2 juniors, was selected based on the current Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) ranking and Junior Golf Foundation Order of merit from 12 who were in training.

Current KAGC leader Limuru’s John Karichu, second placed Mike Kisia of Vet Lab Sports Club and club mate Edwin Mudanyi, Railways Golf Club’s Alfred Nandwa and Samuel Njoroge as well as Dennis Saikwa of Royal Nairobi Golf Club made the list. Nyali Golf Club’s Agil Is Hag and Mutahi Kibugu of Muthaiga Golf Club took the two junior positions. Last year the two lost to Tanzania 1-up.

“The golfers are in high spirits and are looking to do better than last year where Kenya and Uganda tied with a total of 16 points. They have held successful training sessions for the last one month under the leadership of the new national team coach John Van Lief Land and we are confident they do well,” offered Kenya Golf Union chairperson Richard Wanjalla who will accompany the team as the head of delegation.

Reigning KAGC (formerly Golfer of the Year (Goty) series) champion Kenneth Bollo failed to make the team as he is placed ninth on the rankings. Joseph Gathumbi of Thika Sports Club missed a place too as he is seventh on the standings. Former national team captain Robinson Owiti of Vet lab and Limuru’s Paul Muchangi who were training with the rest did not make the team too.

The defending champions, Uganda, retained the trophy last year in Addis Ababa for the third year running having won it in 2014 at home and in Kigali, Rwanda in 2015

Since the inaugural event in 1999, Kenya has won the trophy a record 12 times and is hoping to better last year’s performance where they finished tied top with champions Uganda. However, according to the East Africa Challenge cup rules, the defending champions automatically retain the trophy in case of tie with another team after the conclusion of four rounds.

Team Kenya Members:
1.Alfred Nandwa-Railways Golf Club
2.Samuel Njoroge – Railway Golf Club
3. Edwin Mudanyi-Vet Labs Sports Club
4. Mike Kisia- Vet labs Sports club
5. John Karichu – Limuru Country Club
6. Dennis Saikwa – Royal Nairobi Golf Club
7.AgilI Is Hag-Nyali Golf Club (Junior)
8.Mutahi Kibugu-Muthaiga Golf Club -(Junior) nike air max womens nike air max womens

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