From left Andy Watt, KCB Karen Masters Tournament Director, KCB Group Marketing and Communications Director Angela Mwirigi (center) and Sunshine Tour Tournament Director Gary Todd during the KCB Karen Masters and Sunshine tour partnership.

By AMANDA DAMARIS

The 2018 KCB Karen Masters will be a fully sanctioned Sunshine Tour event. This announcement was made by Sunshine Tour Tournament Director Garry Todd.

The event is scheduled to take place next year from 19^th -22^nd July 2018. The four day event will have 156 playing slots for pros with a two day pro-am competition.

KCB Group Marketing and Communications Director Angela Mwirigi said the partnership with Sunshine tour makes the tournament more prestigious and attractive to professional golfers.

“KCB Karen Masters tournament remains our most visible vehicle to share the greatness of the sport. The tournament in on course to becoming the pre-eminent pro competition in East Africa. We expect another thrilling competition, and hopefully will provide the excitement our fans have come to expect.” said Angela.

Garry Todd says the two year partnership with KCB Karen Masters will through affiliate sports see 5 local pros to participate in Sunshine Tour events from next year.

“It’s a dream come true for Sunshine Tour, we are delighted to come to East Africa, This will develop golf in the region” said Todd.

PGK Chairman Charan Thethy was delighted with the announcement.

“Congratulations to KCB and Karen for starting this journey, It’s a dream come true for us as PGK, having such a prestigious event is really good for Kenyan pros” said Charania.

The prize purse for next year’s event has been increased ten times up to US Dollars 150,000.The Sunshine Tour is a men’s professional golf tour based in Southern Africa.

 “The KCB Karen Masters is honoured to be partners with The Sunshine Tour which so obviously mirrors the excellence for which we strive at the Masters, This is a promising time for Golf in Kenya, and partnerships like this one are proof of this fact. Together, I believe that we can put on a Tournament that fans and players alike will truly appreciate in July 2018” said Tournament Director Andy Watt.

The Tour is one of the six leading men’s tours which make up the International Federation of PGA Tours, which includes the PGA Tour, The European PGA Tour, The Japan Golf Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia, and the Asian Tour.

Dutchman Will Besseling won the 2017 KCB Karen Masters and the blue jacket.

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Team Kenya players before they left for the East Africa Golf Challenge in Dar, Tanzania.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Kenya amassed 19.5 points to win the 2017 East African Golf Challenge Trophy following three days of play in Tanzania. The victory, powered by eight local players, two drawn from junior ranks, marked Kenya’s 13^th title since the tournament was inaugurated in 1999.

Defending champions and hosts Tanzania (17) fell 2.5 points shy of the indomitable Kenyans and settled for second place on 17 ponts while Uganda claimed the last podium position on 14 points. Rwanda (10.5), Ethiopia (5.5) and Burundi trailed from 4^th to 6^th in that order.

Bubbly junior gofers Agil Is Haq of Nyali and Mutahi Kibugu of Muthaiga complimented senior players of Team Kenya that comprised Railway Golf club duo of Alfred Nandwa, and Samuel Njoroge, Edwin Mudanyi (Vet Labs), Joseph Gathumbi (Kiambu), John Karichu (Limuru) and Dennis Saikwa Royal Nairobi).

John Karichu battled Ali Saidi of Tnzania of Tanzania to square on the opening day singles while Samuel Njoroge was a 4-3 winner in a duel with Oruo Ronald of Uganda. Mudanyi, Kagwe, Saikwa, Kisia and Nandwa all won their opening day singles while Is Haq fell to Rwanda’s N. Celestine.

Second day saw Kenya win three Foursomes duels while squaring one with Uganda. Saikwa and Njoroge unable to steer clear but still holding out for a draw. Agil and Nandwa combine to down Burundians Harerimana and Djabar 7-6 with another duo of Mudanyi and Kagwe combined to win 3-2 over Rwandan opponents. Kisia and Karichu were 4-3 Foursomes victors over their hosts as Kenya gathered momentum on second day.

Kenya also scooped victory in Day two Better Ball Match Plays as Njoroge/ Saikwa partnership set the golfers on a winning path. Kisia and Karichu, Mudanyi/Kagwe and Nandwa Agil all triumphed while Tanzania won three of four Better Ball Match Plays.

Kenya finished off with 6 wins, a draw and loss in Singles. Mudanyi lost to Ugandan Muhumza while Kisia squared with Tanzanian opponent Amani. Is Haq, Njoroge, Karichu, Kagwe, Saikwa and Nandwa all came out victorious to wrap the title for Kenya.

Kenya last lifted the regional trophy in 2013 when it was staged in Naivasha’s Great Rift Valley Resort. “The boys played some serious golf and that makes me so happy to bring the Cup back to Kenya,” said Kenya’s national team coach John van Liefland.

“We are capable of being the best in Africa ” a purring Richard Wanjalla,
Chairman Kenya Golf Union who had accompanied the team to Tanzania

The tournament was first played in 1999 in Kenya and involves the members of East Africa Community. Competing countries include Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia. The format involves 4 rounds of golf with singles on the first day, foursomes, and four ball better ball on the second day and singles again on the last day. Each country has eight players.

Results:

Kenya 19.5

Tanzania 17

Uganda 14

Rwanda 10.5

Ethiopia 5.5

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