The Club House at Karen Golf and Country Club.

By JAMES WAINDI
Africa’s premier golfing event, the Kenya Open Golf Championship will next year be held at the Karen Golf and Country Club, moving from its traditional venue, the Muthaiga Golf Club.
This was announced on Thursday morning by tournament organisers during a brief press conference at the Karen Club, where the Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) elaborated plans to rotate the prestigious tournament round various golf courses and not only Karen Club.
Speaking during the official launch of the 2013 Barclays Kenya Open at Karen, KOGL Chairman Peter Kanyago said: “KOGL has said its going to rotate the Kenya Open to various clubs across the country.”
At the same time, Kanyago disclosed that next year’s Kenya Open moves away from Muthaiga to Karen from February 7-10.
“As you are all aware, the General Election will be held in March next year, so the Board (of KOGL) has decided to bring forward the date to February.  The ProAm will be played at two venues on February 6. Venues for the ProAm  will be announced in due course.  The prize money remains 190Euros,” said Kanyago who confirmed that a  total of 25 Kenya professionals will take part in the event.
Kanyago added that Barclays Bank of Kenya (BBK) -in its ongoing five year commitment- continues to be title sponsors for the next two years.
Kanyago added that a PGA accredited agronomist will arrive in the country in the next two months to look at the viability of five clubs  including Sigona, Royal, Karen and Windsor.
At the moment, Kanyago noted, only Muthaiga and Karen conform to PGA standards.
“Its good to also promote other Clubs with the Kenya Open. We have requested PGA to come and have a look at five other courses.” said Kanyago.
Karen Club chairman Jinaro K. Kibet on his part said they feel honored to have been chosen as hosts of the event for the next two years.
“We have done everything possible to ensure that our course is in excellent condition. We have just completed one of the major projects the Club has undertaken,” revealed Kibet.

Karen have spent a fortune in their bid to match PGA standards. They have just completed the multi-million ‘bulk water project’ with which they have installed the underground pipe-work to  sprinklers which are spread out to the entire course to ensure lush green conditions all year round.

“We are working hand in hand with KOGL to ensure that we keep up with the required standards. We also have sufficient water to keep the course in excellent state,” said Kibet. michael kors rebajas michael kors rebajas

Peter Mburu during the Dasani Golf Gala at the Nakuru Golf Club

By CORRESPONDENT

The 10th qualifying round of the 2012 Dasani Golf Gala takes place on Saturday 28 July 2012 at the Karen Country Club, which will incidentally host the Grand Finale in slightly over two months time.

The par 72 course will offer a perfect opportunity for players to master the course before the finale,that is, if they manage to earn qualification, notwithstanding the fact that the pins and other features of the course would likely be have been changed come the finale. All in all, this is round should serve as a dress rehearsal for the host club, event organizers and potential qualifiers.
The  winning team at September’s Grand Finale will travel to Dubai to attend the final of the European Tour’s “Race to Dubai” – the DP World Tour Championship at the Jumeirah Golf Estates.
While in Dubai, they will have the opportunity to see Europe’s top 60 money earners on the 2012 Order of Merit battle it out for a $ 1.3 Million winner’s cheque. In addition, they will play at some of the best golf courses in the region, including the Dubai Creek Course and the challenging Faldo Course at the Emirates Golf Club, a course designed by former world number 1 and 6-time Major Champion Sir. Nick Faldo.

Back to more pressing matters and a field of 160 players will be in contention for the eight slots availaible from this qualification round to September’s Grand Finale where they will face off with 76 other qualifiers who earned their berths after the first nine rounds played Kiambu, Thika, Vet Lab, Windsor, Railway, Nyali, Leisure Lodge, Royal and Nakuru respectively from late May to date.
Karen’s Country Club’s Golf Administrator Irene Wangari pointed out the teams to watch, noting that the team comprising of Kenya Open Golf Limited Chairman Peter Kanyago, Kingori Kariuki, Irungu Wanyoike and John Muiruri looked sharp enough to emerge victorious. She said said, ” Other teams expected to spice up theday will be the team comprising of Kenya Rugby Union chairman Mwangi Muthee who is also a serious golfer, Henry Maina, Amos Ngonjo and Jimmy Kimondo.”
Now in its third edition, the Dasani Golf Gala was started in 2010 with the intention of taking the game to a wider playing base, fusing accomplished players with those wishing to pick up the game. This has played a major role in helping the aspirations of both sets of players, all driven by the strong desire to realize their potential and chart their own path. nike air max 2017 nike air max 2017