Alfred Nandwa

By DANIELLA APIYO

Alfred Nandwa continued from where he left a fortnight ago, by winning the Kenya Amateur Strokeplay Championships to leap to third position in the latest Golfer Of The Year (GOTY) rankings released by Kenya Golf Union (KGU) today.

The Railway Golf Club player, playing off handicap +1 had won the East Africa Challenge qualifiers two weeks ago and carried his form to the Goty event that saw him win by four clear strokes. He posted 298 gross (80, 76, 72, 70) to rule the roost in the 54-hole competition and boost his morale ahead of this week’s regional championships in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Reigning Goty winner John Karichu of Limuru, Samuel Njoroge and Robinson Owiti of Vet Lab tied in the second spot on 302 gross (77, 75, 75, 75), (78, 74, 74, 76) and (75, 76, 78, 73) respectively, while Edwin Mudanyi laos of Vet Lab settled for the fifth position on 305 gross (80, 74, 73, 78).

Royal’s Kenneth Bollo who is leading the Goty series on 243.75 points, suffered mixed fortunes to finish Strokeplay event on 309 gross (81, 73, 77, 78).

Meanwhile, the national team left the country today for the regional championships in Ethiopia, where they will rub shoulders with the hosts, reigning champions Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. cheap nike air max 90 mens cheap nike air max 90 mens

Muthaiga’s junior golfer Mutahi Kibugu.

By AMANDA DAMARIS

Controversy has once again rocked Kenya Golf Union’s (KGU) over the selection of junior player Mutahi Kibugu into the national team that is expected to represent the country at the East African Golf Challenge in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia between October 24 to 29.

Kibugu who plays off handicap four was picked as a wild card, to join the top junior in the country Agill Is Hag and six other top amateurs who booked a ticket to the national team through a qualifying event held at the Thika Greens a fortnight ago.

A number of golf stake holders faulted the selection of the Muthaiga junior golfer, claiming that there were better players who deserved the wild card slot to help the national team reclaim the regional title they last won in 2013.

“Kibugu took part in the qualifier and posted 91 gross in the first round and could not even be spotted in the remaining rounds. He is a handicap four player and yet there are so many low handicap players than him, why were they overlooked?” Posed a player who sought anonymity for fear of victimization.

Top amateur golfer Kenneth Bollo who leads Golfer Of The Year Series and will not be part of the national team to represent Kenya in Ethiopia.

He added: “Last year when we did a qualifying round in Limuru for the All African Challenge Trophy, the country’s top amateur then John Karichu who was on top of the Golfer Of The Year standings, was given a direct ticket to play, what has changed this time?”

Majority expected leading amateur Kenneth Bollo of Royal Club to automatically get the wild card after he narrowly missed qualification during the 54-hole qualifier where he finished seventh yet only the top six were receiving a direct ticket.

The team that is yet to practice together is expected to leave on Monday for Addis where they will rub shoulders with reigning champions Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and hosts Ethiopia.

The team will be accompanied by KGU chairman Muchau Githiaka, vice chairman Richard Wanjalla and team coach Brian Njoroge. Githiaka exuded confidence that the team is in high spirits and tipped them to perform well.

Kenya has won the trophy a record 12 times since 1999. The format of the event involves four rounds of golf with singles, foursomes, four ball better ball and final singles. Each country has eight players.

Team Members:

1.Alfred  Nandwa-Railways Golf Club

2.Daniel Nduva-Nyali Golf Club

3.John Lejirma-Golf Park Club

4.Edwin Mudanyi-Vet Labs Sports Club

5.Simon Njogu-Great Ritf Valley Golf Club

6.Robinson Owiti-Vet Labs Sports Club

7.AgilI Is Hag-Nyali Golf Club (Top Junior)

8.Mutahi Kibugu-Muthaiga  Golf Club -Wild Card cheap air max cheap air max