Vet Lab’s Mathew Omondi follows his tee shot at a past tournament. He beat Odera on play-off to win this year’s Sigona Bowl competition.

By CORRESPONDENT

Vet Lab’s Mathew Omondi started the new season on a high note with a win in the Gofler Of The Year opening tournament, the Sigona Bowl held at the Sigona Golf Club at the weekend.

Omondi who also plays for the national team, needed a sudden death playoff to beat Kericho’s William Odera to the top prize after they had tied at the end of the third round, both on 224 gross.

The playoff was held on the tenth hole, where Omondi sunk a birdie to rule the roast as Odera only managed a par. Both players picked 23.75 points towards the Goty series competition following their feat at the opening event.

In the first round, Omondi scored 74 gross, before posting 76 in the second round and finished with 74 in the final round, while Odera posted 74 gross in the first round before scoring an identical score of 75 in the second and third rounds.

John Ndichu finished third on 228 gross (72, 77, 77), to pick 21.5 points towards the Goty competition and Erick Ooko was fourth on 230 gross (80, 76, 74) to amass 20 points for the Goty series.

The next Goty event will be the Mount Kenya Championships to be held at the Nyeri Golf Club between February 2 and 3. bracelet pandora charms bracelet pandora charms

Barclays Bank Kenya Chief Operations Officer Abdi Mohamed (right), with Kenya Open Chairman Peter Kanyago (left) during the function today..

By CORRESPONDENT

Barclays Bank yesterday presented a cheque of Ksh 15million sponsorship that is set to go towards the prize kitty of the tournament.

The 45^th Edition of the Barclays Kenya Open Golf Championship returns to the Nairobi Karen Country Club for the third time attracting over 150 players from 26 countries being the highest number in the recent history.

Speaking during the launch event, Barclays Chief Operations Officer Abdi Mohamed re-emphasized the Bank’s commitment to the tournament, and its continued support.  “We are glad to officially launch the 45^th Edition of the 2013 Barclays Kenya Open, a golf tournament we have been part of overtime. We are excited that the 2013 tournament will be bigger and we expect better things going forward.”

Mr Mohamed further added that Barclays’ commitment towards golf over the years has directly helped unearth and nurture the next generation talent in the country. “Our commitment towards nurturing the sport in the region is a reflected through our increase in sponsorship of this event each year and it’s our joy when we see it grow in leaps and bounds.”

He concluded that at least 20 qualifiers of the on-going Barclays Golf Circuit Challenge will get slots to play in the 2013 Barlays Kenya Open Pro-Am events, a true reflection of the Bank’s commitment to develop the sport in the country.

Also speaking during the tournament, Kenya Open Golf Limited Chairman, Mr. Peter Kanyago, thanked Barclays Bank of Kenya for being the title sponsor of the tournament and appreciated their continued support. “The union is honoured to be part of this very significant tournament that is the breeding ground of all our Barclays Kenya Open players.”

Mr. Kanyago added that the Barclays sponsorship creates a foundation to further open opportunities for Kenyan professionals to compete at a world stage.

This year, Kenya will be represented by at least 22 professionals who are members of the Professional Golfers Association of Kenya. The compliment of Kenyans is completed by four amateurs. Other African countries participating are South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.

Barclays Kenya Open continues to draw players and spectators from around the region and has had the privilege of showcasing the skills of famous players in years past. Seve Bensen winner was last year’s winner taking home the winner’s cheque of €30,400. bracelet pandora charms bracelet pandora charms