Ruiru Sport Club outgoing Captain Peter Mwaura (right) with his incoming Captain Thomas Mwaura (left)

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

James Kinuthia braved stiff competition to beat a large field of 261 golfers to emerge the overall winner of this year’s Captain’s prize (Peter Mwaura) competition at the Ruiru Sports Club at the weekend.

Kinuthia playing off handicap 26 carded 20 stableford points on the front nine, before amassing 22 points in the back nine for a total of 42 stableford points

“Today my putting was good, actually that is what made me win the competition. This is the first event I have ever won since I started playing golf and I’m very happy to have beaten guys who taught me how to play the sport,” Kinuthia said in his winner’s speech.

Isaac Nguku playing off handicap 12 emerged the men winner in category A on 38 points made up of 18 points in the front nine and 20 points in the back nine and handicap, while handicap 20 Kimani Munyuah was the category B men winner on 40 stableford and M. Waititu playing off handicap 24 emerged the category C men winner on 37 points.

L. Kwendo won the Bronze prize on 34 points, while the Silver category was won by Pauline Mungai on 36 points and handicap 15 C. Kiiyukia won the former captain’s category on 30 points.

Thika’s B. Kimani playing off handicap 20 was crowned the guest winner on 40 points, while Fr Mukua was the clergy winner on 30 points and the staff winner’s prize went to handicap 14 Martin Kiambi on 34 points.

Out going captain Mwaura termed the tournament as a success despite the massive field, everything went on smoothly.

“It’s been thrilling three years in the office and it’s exciting to have been part of the sort of transformation happening at the club,” said Mwaura as he handed the green jacket to the new captain Thomas Mwaura.

He added: “The focus was to grow the game of golf in the club and deliver key projects like course irrigation. These have come to be. The club can only get better.”

KCB Group Director Regional Business Paul Russo who also doubles up as National Bank of Kenya Managing Director heralded the sports club for a brilliant event adding that the bank will continue to invest in golf in a bid to nurture fresh talent.
“It was an exciting day at the course for the golfers, as KCB Group, we are pleased that our sponsorship novelty in golf continues to impact golf skills of our local pros as well as amateurs,” said Russo.
The competition was sposnored by KCB, NBK

Meanwhile, former junior player Agnes Nyakio, now playing off handicap four, proved that she had come of age as she emerged the overall winner of the 2020 Kabete Ladies Open on 76 gross.

Handicap five Mercy Nyanchama was the silver gross winner on 82 gross, while Grace Wanjohi playing off handicap 23 emerged the bronze gross winner on 96 gross and handicap 19 Dorris Mideva won the silver net prize on 72 nett.

Kenya Open Golf Limited Directors from Left Joe Wangai, Anthony Murange, Chairman Peter Kanyago (with trophy), Patrick Obath, Lucas Maranga and Francis Okwara pose with the Magical Kenya Open trophy.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The Kenya Open Golf Limited, organizers of the 2020 Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship, presented by Absa, have announced that preparations for the tournament are complete.

The tournament, which will be played under the prestigious European tour for the second year running, is set for March 12 to, at the Karen Country club.

The announcement was made by the Kenya Open Golf Limited Chairman, Peter Kanyago, during a press briefing held at the Karen Country Club today.

“We are nine days to the tournament, which will be hosted here at the Karen Country Club, from the 12^th – 15^th of March 2020, under the European tour. Preparations for this year’s tournament are complete and we are looking forward to four days of great golf.”

While making the announcement, Kanyago also noted that the tournament’s prize fund will remain at Ksh 125 million (1.1 Million Euros); with the overall winner banking around Ksh 20.5 million (Euros 183,330).

“Like last year, the total prize fund for the 2020 Magical Kenya Open will be 1.1 Million Euros. This has been made possible by our sponsors, led by the Government of Kenya through the ministries of Sports and Tourism.”

Speaking at the same event, tournament director, Patrick Obath, mentioned that there has been increased interest from the European tour players to play at the tournament, having received over 200 entries.

Kenya Open Golf Limited Chairman Peter Kanyago (Left) and Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship Tournament director pose with the Kenya Open Trophy.

“The field this year will remain at 144 players, we have however seen a significant increase in interest from the European Tour players, to come play at the Magical Kenya Open, with over 200 entries received.”

Among the star attractions at this year’s tournament, include the last five winners, namely; Guido Migliozzi (2019), Lorenzo Gagli (2018), Aaron Rai (2017), Sebastian Soderberg (2016) and Haydn Porteous (2015).

Others expected to headline the tournament include Chris Wood, winner of the 2016 BMW PGA Championship; Justin Harding, winner of the 2019 Qatar Masters; Ashun Wu, winner of the 2018 KLM Open; Alexander Levy, five-time European Tour champion; Shubhankar Sharma, winner of the 2018 Maybank Championship; and Haoton Li, winner of the 2018 Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

The Kenyan charge will be led by hard hitting Dismas Indiza and Thika Golf Club’s Simon Ngige who are part of the eight Kenyan professionals who qualified through the just concluded 2019/20 Safari Tour Golf Series.

Five names of Kenyan elite amateurs, who were selected by the Kenya Golf Union to play at this year’s Magical Kenya Open have also been released. These are: Samuel Njoroge, Daniel Nduva, Paul Muchangi, Taimur Malik and Mutahi Kabungu. They will be joined by Victor Joseph of Tanzania who has been invited to play.

Apart from the local Professionals, Robinson Chinhoi of Zimbabwe and Nigeria’s Andrew Odoh, were the two regional players who qualified to play at the Magical Kenya Open through the 2019/2020 edition of the Safari Tour. KOGL has also extended invitations to two South African players, Toto Thimba (winner of the 2019 Karen Masters) and Jayden Schaper, to come and play at this year’s tournament.

In addition to the world class golf, Obath assured golf fans of entertainment at the tournament village.

“We have once again partnered with the Kenya Breweries Limited, through its Johnnie Walker Brand to ensure that fans enjoy great entertainment, while following the action live at the village.”

Kanyago concluded by welcoming fans to the Karen Country Club, while thanking the tournament sponsors for their continued support.

“I want to thank our sponsors, Absa Bank PLC, Kenya Breweries Limited, The Standard Group, Coca Cola, Hemingways and The Waterfront Mall for their continued support. Finally, I welcome you all to the Karen Country Club from the 12^th to 15^th of March, for world class golf and hospitality at the 2020 Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa.”

Tickets to the tournament are available on www.kenyaopen.golf at Ksh. 1000 for a daily ticket and Ksh 3000 for a season ticket.