By JAMES WAINDI
Africa’s premier golfing event, the Kenya Open Golf Championship will next year be held at the Karen Golf and Country Club, moving from its traditional venue, the Muthaiga Golf Club.
This was announced on Thursday morning by tournament organisers during a brief press conference at the Karen Club, where the Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) elaborated plans to rotate the prestigious tournament round various golf courses and not only Karen Club.
Speaking during the official launch of the 2013 Barclays Kenya Open at Karen, KOGL Chairman Peter Kanyago said: “KOGL has said its going to rotate the Kenya Open to various clubs across the country.”
At the same time, Kanyago disclosed that next year’s Kenya Open moves away from Muthaiga to Karen from February 7-10.
“As you are all aware, the General Election will be held in March next year, so the Board (of KOGL) has decided to bring forward the date to February.  The ProAm will be played at two venues on February 6. Venues for the ProAm  will be announced in due course.  The prize money remains 190Euros,” said Kanyago who confirmed that a  total of 25 Kenya professionals will take part in the event.
Kanyago added that Barclays Bank of Kenya (BBK) -in its ongoing five year commitment- continues to be title sponsors for the next two years.
Kanyago added that a PGA accredited agronomist will arrive in the country in the next two months to look at the viability of five clubs  including Sigona, Royal, Karen and Windsor.
At the moment, Kanyago noted, only Muthaiga and Karen conform to PGA standards.
“Its good to also promote other Clubs with the Kenya Open. We have requested PGA to come and have a look at five other courses.” said Kanyago.
Karen Club chairman Jinaro K. Kibet on his part said they feel honored to have been chosen as hosts of the event for the next two years.
“We have done everything possible to ensure that our course is in excellent condition. We have just completed one of the major projects the Club has undertaken,” revealed Kibet.

Karen have spent a fortune in their bid to match PGA standards. They have just completed the multi-million ‘bulk water project’ with which they have installed the underground pipe-work to  sprinklers which are spread out to the entire course to ensure lush green conditions all year round.

“We are working hand in hand with KOGL to ensure that we keep up with the required standards. We also have sufficient water to keep the course in excellent state,” said Kibet. michael kors rebajas michael kors rebajas

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