Richard Ainley at a past event.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Organisers of the Kenya Open Golf Championships have given Nakuru based professional Richard Ainley the nod to play at this year’s tournament to be held at the Karen Country Club between March 17 and 20.

The left handed golfer had been suspended during last year’s tournament after a post on his facebook page landed him in trouble.

Ainley’s woes started when he was barred by the security personnel from packing his car inside the Karen Country Club since he didn’t have the official car pass given to Professional Golfers of Kenya and is said to have had an altercation with Club captain Owino Ayodo concerning the incident.

Ainley didn’t take it lightly and went to update Facebook page on his frustrations.

“I see colonization had not ended. Only Kenya’s elite and mzungus allowed to park at the Kenya Open Karen country Club.

“Us few PLAYERS that have cars have to make a good long trek yet it’s not matter if your late. Shindwe! I’m taking it low out of anger.”

An hour later, Ainley would post: “Because of my Facebook post I’ve been refused to play as my invitation has been withdrawn. To those I may have offended I’m sorry. To all you other Kenyans play well!”

Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) chairman Peter Kanyego today revealed that they had pardoned the golfer, when he received Hemingways sponsorship for the tournament which amounts to Sh 2.7 million in kind. cheap nike air max 90 uk cheap nike air max 90 uk

Today’s cheque presentation.

By CORRESPONDENT

Hemingways Holdings yesterday announced their sponsorship partnership for the 48^th Edition of the Annual Kenya Open Golf Tournament. The tournament, which will take place at the Karen Golf Club, on the 17^th-20^th March, will host 156 professional golfers from Europe, America, Asia and parts of Africa, including local golf professionals and amateurs. Of the 156 players, 22 are local, 11 from other African countries and 117 are internationals.

In a month’s time, players will be teeing off at the Barclays Kenya Open and the European Challenge Tour will have taken its first step on the Road to Oman 2016. The Kenya Open is part of the European Challenge Tour that includes 28 tournaments in 22 different countries.

Speaking on Thursday during a meeting at Hemingways Nairobi in Karen, the group’s CEO said that the Kenya Open is a great marketing tool that will shine the spotlight on Kenya as a professional golfing destination in Africa.

“By offering our sponsorship to Kenya Open Golf limited we believe we are part of the long term future of Professional Golf in this country. Events such as the Kenya Open are wonderful showcases for Destination Kenya and what this spectacular country and its people have to offer international tourists and business travellers,” said Mr. Alastair Addison, CEO, Hemingways Holdings Ltd.

Speaking at the same event, Barclays Kenya Open Golf LTD Chairman, Mr. Peter Kanyago, said that this year’s Barclays’ sponsored Kenya Open Tournament held a lot of promise for aspiring golfing professionals in Kenya and the rest of the world. The tournament has attracted worldwide representation from top golf professionals, but is yet to produce a winner from Kenya.  Last year, 20 year old Haydn Porteous from Johannesburg won the Kenyan series of the European tour.

“There a number of golf players from Kenya who we are rallying behind to win this tournament. We hope that this time round, a Kenyan gets to take the trophy home at the end of the tournament,” said Mr. Kanyago.

Mr. Kanyago expressed delight to partner with Hemingways Holdings LTD as accommodation sponsors for the 48^th edition of the Kenya Open Tournament.

“We are delighted to partner with Hemingways Holdings LTD, a hotel and luxury group which is a leader in the hospitality and service industry in Kenya. We are sure that the tournament will play a key role in promoting tourism and hotels like Hemingways will provide exceptional service to tournament officials.”

H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta, Former President Mwai Kibaki and Sports, Culture and Arts Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala will grace this year’s Barclays Kenya Open Tournament.

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