?

By ENOCK NGOME

The third event in the Tusker Malt Golf Carnival calendar tees off over the weekend at the 9-hole par-73 Njoro Country Club.

The close to 100 golfers expected to participate have been drawn from host Njoro, Nakuru, Nyahururu, Gilgil, Great Rift and Naivasha.

Club Captain Peter Minjire confirms the course is in perfect condition for the Saturday tournament. “The persisting rains have ensured the course is replenished. However, the greens will be running fast and challenging too,” says Minjire.

The morning tee off has been scheduled for 8am with the afternoon tee off expected to start slightly before 1pm to end after 5pm. “We do not anticipate rains during the day and therefore the games will not be interrupted, “says Minijire.

Saturdays draw has well able golfers and it may not come as a surprise to have less known golfers steal the show. However, according to Captain Minjire  the top contenders to watch in this round include the team of Fr. Augustine Kipkemei playing off handicap 19 and Fr. Peter Gitonga. Another outstanding pair that has shown prowess in past tournaments include team of Njoro Champion Alfred Nandwa of handicap 0 and Charles Angwenyi of handicap 20.

Njoro Country Club is known for its wide fairways and numerous bunkers which Minjire says might be challenging for golfers.  “Golfers need to bring their best game on Saturday. The challenge is what makes playing at Njoro exciting!, “adds Minjire. “We feel honored to host EABL and golfers can expect an exciting tournament,” says Minjire.

The Tusker Malt Golf Carnival was launched in September and has so far been to Kenya Railways Golf Club and Machakos.  It is scheduled to take place at 11 other golf course in Kenya before moving to Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda in 2012. Over 10, 000 golfers are expected to participate in the tournaments that will take place in 30 golf courses across East Africa. This year’s carnival features the international format of play, the Four Ball Better Ball that encourages participation in pairs aimed at increasing teamwork while improving amateur golfing in Kenya.

Kiambu Golf Club will host the fourth leg on November 19 as part of the regional tour aimed at increasing the spirit of friendship and bonding, the key brand values of Tusker Malt.

cgparka cgparka

EYEING REGIONAL TITLE: Limuru's Francis Kimani (middle) is congratulated by KDN Marketing Manager Vincent Wangombe (right) and former KGU Chairman Samuel Ndegwa (left) after winning a past event. He will captain the Kenyan team at this year's Tanzania Open.

By ENOCK NGOME

Limuru’s Francis Kimani will be captaining the Kenya amateur golf national team at this year’s East Africa Challenge, which tees off on Thursday in Arusha.

The team of eight players left the country on Tuesday by road to Arusha where they held their practice sessions on Wednesday.

[sam id=”7″ codes=”true”] Last year, Kenya tied on points with eventual winners, Uganda who retained the trophy as they were the defending champions. Only an outright win by Kenya, holders of this trophy for many years will restore the country’s place in regional golf.

Tanzania however, the hosts, are the team to watch even though they did not participate in the Africa Amateur Team championships in South Africa last month. Uganda, who came second last in Johannesburg must not be discounted, as they obviously prefer matchplay to strokeplay, the format of the continental bi-annual championships.

The team which will be led by KGU’s vice chairman, Alfred Kariuki and Andrew Chelogoi, KGU North Rift Region Representative, consist of Ali Kimani as the coach while the players are Francis Kimani (Limuru) – Captain, David Opati (Golf Park), Mathew Omondi (Vet Lab), Robinson Owiti (Vet Lab), Justus Madoya (Great Valley), Frank Matilo (Muthaiga), Joseph W Karanja (Golf Park) and Abraham Abdullahi(Great Rift Valley and Junior international). Antony Omuli of Golf Park was dropped from the team for failing to appear at the team briefing. nike air max 97 nike air max 97