NATIONAL LADIES TEAM TO USE DASANI’S ROYAL LADIES OPEN TO PREPARE FOR ALL AFRICA CHALLENGE TROPHY
FINAL TOUCHES: National team player Naomi Wafula (second right) poses with her team during last year's Nancy Miller tournament. She will use Saturday's Royal Ladies Open as her final preparations before she travels to Botswana to represent the country at the All Africa Challenge Trophy.
By JAMES WAINDI
National ladies golf team players Jane Njoroge of Muthaiga and youngster Naomi Wafula of Golf Park are expected to sharpen their skills at Royal Ladies Open on Saturday, less than 24 hours before they live the country for the All Africa Challenge Trophy in Botswana.
The duo will be leaving the country on Sunday to try and retain the continental title which they won last year in Zambia and they at least one last chance to polish their golf, thanks to the Dasani-sponsored Royal Ladies Open.
Njoroge currently plays off handicap 6, while 14-years old Wafula plays off handicap five. The other member of the team is United Kingdom based Bavi Shah who will be linking up with the team in Botswana.
The Ladies Open is part of the ladies’ golfer of the year tournament series and the format of play is medal. The daylong event has attracted a strong field of 82 lady golfers who will battling it out for the GOTY points as well as a number of lucrative prizes at stake.
Vet Lab’s and former lady golfer of the year Mary Karano will also be keen to defend her title and maintain her dominance in the competition as she has won the last two Open’s in a row.
Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) chairperson Ann Chubi will be teeing off at 8.24 am in the company of Wanjira Kireri and S.Bhavra, while home captain Sarah Hoare will be teeing off at 8.40am in the company of Agnes Nyakio and Eunice Manyara and Naomi Wafula will be in the same group as Gathigia Gatere and S.Scroggie to tee off at 8.48 am.
Jane Njoroge will set off at 8.56 am in the company of National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) treasurer Fridah Shiroya and Anne Bett and reigning champion Karano will be teeing off at 9.12am together with Joyce Wafula and A. Vellekoop.
Meanwhile, the Dasani Golf Gala will be continuing this weekend at the Thika Sports Club with its second qualifier of the season where a total of 160 players have been drawn. It will bring together players from the host club as well as Makuyu Golf Club and Ruiru Golf Club who be fighting for the top two slots to the grand finale set for September 29 at the Karen Golf and Country Club.
The first two qualifying groups have already been identified; this was done during the open tournament last weekend at the par 72 Kiambu Golf Club. michael kors outlet michael kors outlet