By DONALD WELLINGTON

Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) will this year have 22 slots for local pros at the 45th Barclays Kenya Open Golf Championships set to be held at the par 70 Karen Golf and Country Club from February 13 to 17.
This has been announced by PGK Chairman Riz Charania, who noted that the decision to increase the number of locals in the continent’s premier event was a step in the right direction.
“We are happy the number of local professionals for the Open has increased from 20 last year to 22 this time and there is still a chance for more locals to play at the event because plans are under way to have a pre-tournament qualifying event that will see the top three players book tickets for the Open as well,” said Charania who noted that the qualifying event would be open to professionals even foreigners.
He added: “We already have the list of the 22 players and we will formally release them soon. The criteria we used in selecting the 22 players was going by the PGK order of merit, we also gave preference to players who made the cut during the last Kenya Open and those who won tournaments in the last year.”
The tournament, which returns to Karen Club for the first time since 2008, having been played at Muthaiga Golf Club in the interim, will be curtain raised by a traditional Pro Am event at the same venue, to help some of the players have a feel on the course.
No Kenyan has ever won the tournament, but Charania believes this is the year to write history by breaking the jinx. The closest a Kenyan came to winning the title was in 1998 when Golf Park’s resident professional Jacob Okello tied with Argentine Ricardo Gonzalez after the last round and narrowly lost on a sudden death play-off.
This year, a prize money of Ksh22million (195, 000 Euros) is up for grabs event which is also part of the European Challenge Golf Tour and a total of 150 professional players from all over the world will be battling for a share. Six local amateur players will also be in action during the 72 hole competition but they will not be eligible for the prize money.
Tournament director Patrick Obath, said: “Changing the venue showcases the diversity of Kenya’s ability to host world-class golfing championships.
“The tournament is sure to be both challenging and competitive, and the golfers will have to adapt, making for truly enjoyable golf.” maillot de foot maillot de foot

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