A TOTAL OF 150 LADY GOLFERS TO FEATURE AT THIS YEAR’S LADIES COAST OPEN
Vipingo Ridge-based Naomi Wafula at a past event
By AMANDA DAMARIS AND DANIELLA APIYO
A large field of 150 golfers have entered this year’s Ladies Coast Open to be held from Monday, July 31 to August 5 on various coast clubs namely Diamonds Leisure Golf Club, Mombasa Golf Club, Nyali Golf & Country Club, Malindi Golf Club, and finally at Vipingo Golf Ridge.
The Ladies Open under the umbrella of the Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) together with the KLGU Coast representative Teresia Odoo are delighted with the organization of the event so far and expect a memorable tourney.
The event has been successful through the major sponsorship from Tourism Fund, Grain Bulk Handlers, KCB, Family Bank, EABL, AAR Health Care, Kericho Gold, Base Titanium, Neptune Hotels, Sarova Whitesands, Pauland, Dermazuri, Ace Plastic Surgery, KCC, Khush Motors, Soliani, Coast Values, The LAWFORD, Fahawi Investments Ltd, Nulook Links, Plaza Beach Hotel, Paradise Destinations Ltd, Sandlovers Diani Real Estate, Atlas Tea Brokers, Silent night, Akina Tea, Tudor Health Care.
According to Odoo, the week-long tournament has attracted various golfers from around the country and the East African region at large, with participants coming from Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. The event will prove a significant milestone in the history of the sport in Kenya and work to motivate the next generation of young female players throughout the country.
Most participants started arriving in the country from today for practice rounds and acclimatization and are set to depart on August 6 after the awards gala.
“We are also intending to do live scoring for the first time courtesy of KGU and KLGU.
The event will showcase Kenya as a unique golfing and holiday destination as well as elevate the country as an important player on the world’s stage, not just in terms of golf but sports in general,” Odoo told www.kenyagolfguide.co.ke.
The Coast Lady Captains who have managed to put all the event together include Cheryl Bush (Diamonds Leisure Golf Club), Fiona Mbandi (Mombasa Golf Club), Maria Mariga (Nyali Golf & Country Golf Club), Hamida Chidagaya (Malindi Golf Club), Sue Williams (Vipingo Ridge Golf Club).
Leisure Lodge Trophy defending champion Neema Olomi is expected to highlight the action, while the defending champion for Mombasa, Vipingo, and overall gross winner Naomi Wafula will also be present.
Nyali Bowl’s reigning champion Chanelle Wangari will be missing in action due to personal commitments. Other ladies to watch this year are Margaret Njoki, Allysa Jamal, Susan Stokes, Mary Kandu, Mwongeli Nzioka, Martha Bibirye, Jacky Walter, Mercy Nyanchama, Kelly Gachaga, Esther Chumo, Nancy Wanjiru.