FOUR PAST WINNERS ARRIVE FOR 2017 KENYA OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS
Kelvin Balogun, Coca Cola Business Unit president, Sebastian Soderberg), Toby Tree and Peter Njonjo, Coca Cola East Africa General Manager during last year’s Pro Am.
By DANIELLA APIYO
Reigning champion, Sebastian Soderberg, will be gunning for a second title in Kenya as he is among the 156 golfers participating in the 49th edition of the Barclays Kenya Open Golf Championships scheduled to tee off on Thursday at the par 72 Muthaiga Golf Club.
A two-day Pro-Am competition precedes the main event and Soderberg will be joined by other former champions Jake Roos, Robert Dinwiddie and Gary Boyd, all gunning for the title in the first event of the European challenge tour.
Tournament director Paul Carrigill expressed his satisfaction with the course saying that Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL), the organisers, have made the necessary changes to ensure the course is in good state.
“I suggested some changes in December aimed at achieving set standards and I am impressed. The course might be a bit dry but the greens and tees are in perfect condition,” Carrigill offered.
Most of the foreign pros are in the country as they participated in the KCB Karen Masters. The rest are expected to be in the country today.
“We are happy that the 156 golfers have confirmed their participation, we have no withdrawal. The pros yet to arrive will be here this morning as some are participating in the Pro Am event,” said KOGL chairman Peter Kanyago today.
Kenyan golfers are expected to performer better, having gone through training from a PGA certified coach, coupled with a busy calendar that has kept them active.
A cash incentive from Nairobi County governor Evans Kidero might also serve to motivate the locals too. Kidero has offered Sh 1 million for the winner, if Kenyan, Sh 500,000 for those finishing in the top five positions, Sh 100,000 for finishing top ten and Sh 50,000 for those who make the cut. cheap pandora charms cheap pandora charms