Royal Nairobi Golf Club’s Eric Ooko follows his tee shot during Round One of the Safari Tour Golf Tournament at the Nyali Golf Club today.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Royal Nairobi Golf Club’s Erick Ooko returned a level par score of 71 gross at the Nyali Golf and Country Club to lead the event after Round One today. Ooko opened his round with a birdie on the relatively easy dogleg left par-5 but quickly lost the advantage on the tough par-4 2^nd hole. He birdied the par-5 5^th hole and bogeyed the par-4 8^th to finish level par – 36 on the opening nine.

On the back nine, Ooko dropped shots on the downhill par-3 10^th and par-4 13^th; he birdied the par-5 11^th and the par-5 17^th to complete his back nine on level par – 35 for a total of 71. Speaking after his round Ooko said he was happy with the conditions of the golf course. “Nyali have presented an excellent championship course, the greens are putting true and the fairways are firm and fast,” he said. “I will try and pick up a few more birdies tomorrow and keep my errors down.

Muthaiga’s Ganeev Giddie and Windsor’s Rizwan Charania finished tied in second place with a score of 73, just 2-shots off the lead whilst Greg Snow, Ngugi Njuguna, Ken Abuto, Dismas Indiza and James Karanja finished tied in fourth place with a score of 74.

Justus Madoya, David Odhiambo and Frank Matilo were tied ninth with 75, Kopan Timbe and Hesbon Kutwa were tied 12^th with 76.

The amateur quartet of Willam Kaguta, George Munyao, Temi Katembo and Adel Balala finished with a relatively good score of 6-over par 77 for a tie of 14^th place.

The second round of the inaugural edition of the Safari Tour continues tomorrow(Monday 20^th Aug) at the Nyali Golf and Country Club. Only the top 20 players at the close of Round two will proceed to play in the third and fourth round and to compete for a share of the Sh1m on offer.

Safari Tour Calendar 2018/19

Event 1 – Nyali Golf & CC – 18 – 22 August

Event 2 – Vet Lab SC – 1 – 5 Sept

Event 3 – Limuru Country Club – 27 – 31 October

Event 4 – Thika Greens- 10 – 14 November

Event 5 – Karen Country Club – 15 – 19 December

Event 6 – Muthaiga Golf Club – 12 – 16 Jan

Event 7 – SAFARI TOUR CLASSIC – FEBRUARY – Venue TBC.

Total Prize Money per event: KES 1 Million.

Riz Charania follows his tee shot at the Safari Tour PRO-AM that was held at the Nyali Golf Club.

By AMANDA DAMARIS

Windsor Golf and Country Club’s Riz Charania led his team of Said Bajaber, Justin Kaburu and Reaz Alibhai to win the Safari Tour Pro-Am event at the Nyali Golf and Country Club with a combined stableford score of 82.

Charania posted an individual score of level gross on what was a tough windy and rainy day at Nyali. Speaking after his round, Charania praised his team of amateurs for playing well. “I was lucky to be paired with a team of golfers who were fun to play with and who obviously know their golf course very well,” he said.

Commenting on the Safari Tour, Charania said this Tour was many years overdue. “As Kenyan professionals we have been praying for the formation of such a Tour and we are very grateful to the Kenya Open Golf Limited for supporting our dreams and trade.”

With this victory Charania took home Sh30,000 whilst his amateur team mates received golf prizes.

The team of Sigona’s Pro C.J. Wangai and amateurs Lemmy Kaburu, Pauline Gichara and William Kaguta finished in second place with a combined stableford score of 81 points whilst the team of Muthaiga’s Pro Greg Snow and amateurs Paul Krijnen, Joseph Oluoch and Nimisha Shah finished in third place with a combined score of 79 points. Wangai and Snow were awarded Sh20,000 and Sh10,000 respectively.

Among the amateurs, Joyce Kamau emerged the overall winner after posting an impressive 41 points whilst Sanjay Kotecha was the top placed man with 40 points beating Martin Wahome on countback. Truphena Oyaro was the top lady with 39 points and Teresia Odoo was second on 34 points. Odoo also claimed the longest drive prize for ladies whilst George Munyao won the longest drive contest for men. Mary Kandu was nearest to the Pin.

The Professionals now embark on the main 4-day 72-hole Safari Tour event with a total prize kitty of Sh1m. The winner will take home about Sh180,000. The event tees off on Sunday 19^th August and concludes on Wednesday 22^nd August. After the second round on Monday 20^th August, the field will be reduced to the top 20 players.

Nyali’s elite amateur players will join the professionals through the four rounds as part of the Safari Tour’s development program. The amateurs include Kelly Rob, William Kaguta, George Munyao, Temi Katembo and Adel Balala.

Safari Tour Calendar 2018/19:

Event 1 – Nyali Golf & CC – 18 – 22 August

Event 2 – Vet Lab SC – 1 – 5 Sept

Event 3 – Limuru Country Club – 27 – 31 October

Event 4 – Thika Greens- 10 – 14 November

Event 5 – Karen Country Club – 15 – 19 December

Event 6 – Muthaiga Golf Club – 12 – 16 Jan

Event 7 – SAFARI TOUR CLASSIC – FEBRUARY – Venue TBC.

Total Prize Money per event: KSH 1 Million.