CJ Wangai in action at Nyali Club

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

CJ Wangai”s round of four under par 67 steered him to victory in the second round of the KCB Road To The Masters which culminated at the Par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club.

The Sigona resident professional had his campaign effectively sewn up when day one leader Greg Snow faltered on day two.

Wangai, who tied for second on day one with 3 over, wrapped up the coast round on a gross total of one under par 141. He made four birdies on holes 1, 5, 8 and 11 and parred the rest.

“After Snow’s five shot lead on Friday, the plan was to safeguard second place, so I had no expectations to win. But at the end of it all, I’m glad I struck the ball well off the tees and putted well. I also hit the greens in regulation and I’m happy it came as a pleasant surprise with no bogies in the closing round,” Wangai. This was Wangai’s first victory since his home win during the 2018 Kenya Open qualifier at Sigona.

“It’s quite a good feeling to end the coast tour on a high.Thanks to KCB for organizing this event. The essence is stay in good shape in time for the Sunshine Tour Karen Masters,” he added.

Greg Snow’s disappointing round of three over today dipped him to second on one over par 143.

“It was a bad day at the office, one of those days, I may say. I didn’t hit the ball with precision and was all over the place,” said Snow.

Third on two over 144 gross was Muthaiga’s Frank Matilo. Matilo shot 3 over par 74 on Friday and 1 under today.

Richard Ainley of Nakuru and Nyali resident professional Njuguna Ngugi posted a gross total of three over 145 to finish joint fourth.

It was also a bad day at the office for long hitting Mumias pro Dismas Indiza whose total of five over par 147 saw him settle for joint sixth with David Odhiambo of Kisumu, Ken Abuto of Royal and Sujaan Shah of Sigona.

Eric Ooko of Royal Nairobi Golf Club occupied 10th with rounds of 78 and 70 for a total of six over par 148.

The third round of the Road To The Masters series moves to Thika on April 13.

Mumias based Pro golfer, Dismas Indiza, the winner of the Karen leg of the Safari Tour.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The 2019-2020 Safari Tour Golf Series will tee off in April this year, the Kenya Open Golf Limited has today announced.

Making the announcement at the prize-giving ceremony of the 2019 Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship, Chairman Peter Kanyago said that plans are underway to have the tournament extended to other East African Countries.

“Through your Government’s support, as well as that of our sponsors, I am pleased to announce that we now plan to embark on the 2019-2020 Safari Tour Golf Series starting this April. The tournament will feature 12 tournaments spread across Kenya and the East African region,” he said.

He added: “It is our conviction that the continued improvement of this tournament will help local and regional players excel at the Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship in the years to come.”

The Safari Tour Golf Series was inaugurated in August 2018 to help prepare local and regional pros for the 2019 Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship. A total of seven events were held across the country, producing five different champions.

Remaking in this, Chairman Kanyago said: “Through the support of your Government, I am delighted to report that we started The Safari Tour last year to help our local and regional pros prepare for this year’s Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship. I am pleased to report that we held seven Safari Tour events which featured five different winners,”

A total of 14 Kenyans qualified to play at this year’s Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship through the Safari Tour Golf Series.