ACTION GUARANTEED AT 2023 INTERNATIONAL PAIRS KENYA GRAND FINALE
Terra Saidimu, Kenya Golf Union chairman Philip Ochola and Elvis Muigua.
By AMANDA DAMARIS AND DANIELLA APIYO
The Grand Finale of the 2023 International Pairs Series in Kenya is set to be held on Friday, 1st September 2023 at the Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club. 35 Pairs constituted from the top four pairs, best ladies pair or mixed pair in 7 qualifiers held across the country will be on the tee in the series whose top prize is a fully paid-for golfing trip to Portugal. The top 3 pairs in the Grand Finale qualify for the World Final that is set for the 6th to 10th November at the Royal Obidos Spa & Golf Resort and Bom Sucesso Resort, Portugal.
The first qualifier was held on 8th July 2023 at Muthaiga Golf Club, followed by qualifiers at Nyahururu Country Club, Kericho Club, Great Rift Valley Golf Resort, Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, Nakuru Golf Club, and the last event at Vetlab Sports Club on 26th August 2023. The series has seen a total of 314 pairs brace their shots for the lucrative slots.
This is the fourth time that Kenya is participating in the International Pairs since the start of 2019 with a break in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. 7 pairs from Kenya have since 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. James Kamenchu, Erick Mutai, and Julius Rono are part of the field on Friday seeking another chance to qualify for the exciting, friendly, and hugely prestigious event.