By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The Kenya Golf Union (KGU) has announced the start of the exciting international pairs in the country during the launch held at Muthaiga Golf Club on Thursday, 6^th July 2023. The KGU Vice Chairman and Tournament Director-Mr. David Ndung’u made the announcement while flanked by the KGU Chairman-Philip Ochola, Hon. Treasurer- Karugu Macharia and Hon. Secretary-Chris Kinuthia. Also present during the launch was the Executive Board Member- Sammy Itemeere. This is the fourth edition of the series having being held in the years 2019, 2021 and 2022 with a break in 2020 due to the Corona Pandemic.

“The first event in 2023 will be held this Saturday, 8^th July 2023 at Muthaiga Golf Club and 75 pairs have already registered to play. This will be followed by Nyahururu Sports Club (15^th July), Kericho Golf Club (22^nd July), Great Rift Valley Golf Resort (29^th July), Nyali Golf & Country Club (5^th August), Nakuru Golf Club (12^th August), VetLab Sports Club (26^th August). The Grand Finale will be on 1^st September 2023 at a venue to be announced and the world finals are set for the 6^th to 10^th November at the Royal Obidos Spa & Golf Resort and Bom Sucesso Resort, Portugal.” The Vice Chairman said. He further urged all golfers who are 18 years and above and have a valid WHS handicap index to register and participate in any of the qualifier events. Mixed pairs are also allowed and the entry fee is Ksh. 3000 per person (Ksh. 6000 per pair).

As a norm, the series is played in a four-ball better-ball format (Stable ford) with a handicap allowance of 85% of the Course Handicap. Several qualifiers are organized in different clubs across the country and in each qualifier, the top 5 pairs wins’ prizes and earn a spot in the Grand Finale. The top three winning pairs in the Grand Finale qualify to play at the World Finals with all the expenses paid for. Since the start of the series in 2019, 7 pairs have participated in the fully paid trip to the World Grand Finale. Mike Karanga & Steve Kiaro, James Kamenchu & Anthony Murage and Bhamra Bilu & Romy Sandhu participated in the finals in 2019 at Penina Golf Resort, Portugal. In 2022, Saawan Shah & Jay Varia, Chand Shah & Kush Shah, Julius Rono & Eric Mutai and Steve Kiaro & David Gitao participated in the finals at La Cala Golf Resort, Spain. The pair of Chand Shah & Kush Shah finished as runner ups in the World Finals just one point from the winners from Namibia-Johannes Damon and Hylton Villet.

The International Pairs is the World’s Largest Golf Tournament. Local, regional and national tournaments are organized and promoted by licensed partners around the globe. The top national teams represent their country or territory at the World Final for the chance to be crowned World Champions. More than 1.5 million amateur golfers from over 50 countries have enjoyed competing in this exciting, friendly and hugely prestigious event. The objective of the series is to create a fun and competitive challenge to the general, weekend golfer and to generate revenues to support growth of Elite Golf including but not limited to, training, exposure opportunities and provision of golfing equipment.

 

This entry was posted on Friday, July 7th, 2023 at 11:50 AM and is filed under Golf News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.