Members of Team Kenya and Team Rwanda pose for a photo during the Region IV Tournament that took place in Nyali Golf and Country Club in Mombasa.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Rwanda’s amateur golf team dashed Kenya’s hopes of lifting the Region IV trophy for the second time during Saturday’s semi-final play of the Region IV tournament that took place at par 72 Nyali Golf and Country Club course.

Kenya- who play host to the tournament for the first time, were on a winning streak from the first round-  with an aggregate 429 strokes against Uganda’s 443 and Rwanda’s 472. The winning streak came to a halt during Round 4’s matchplay against Rwanda when the visitors upset the hosts to quash any hopes of lifting the trophy. Uganda also trashed neighbors Tanzania to meet Rwanda in the finals. Hosts Kenya had to settle for a 3^rd place position with Tanzania coming fourth. Ethiopia, Burundi, Seychelles and DR Congo came 5^th, 6^th, 7^th and 8^th respectively.

Speaking about the loss, Kenya’s Coach Kimani lauded the local team for the effort and pointed out the unpredictability of golf and congratulated the winners for a great game.

“Like any other sport, there is never a guaranteed winner. We came here expecting to win but unfortunately, we lost out to our able opponents, Rwanda. The boys played well and it was very unfortunate that we lost out during the crucial stage of the tournament,” said Kimani.

Uganda Golf Union’s President, Innocent Kihika said that the win was very important both to Uganda and the team.

“The last time we won the Region IV tournament (then known as East Africa Challenge) was in 2016 in Ethiopia. We came here to win and we accomplished our objective,” said Innocent.

This is the first time that Kenya is hosting the event, after lifting the trophy last year in Daresalaam, Tanzania. The tournament attracted a total of 8 countries: Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Seychelles and hosts Kenya.

Kenya had the best strokeplay scores with Daniel Nduva having the best scores (136 strokes) for the two rounds. Uganda’s Adolf Muhumuza’s came second with 138 strokes.

The format of play for the first two rounds was strokeplay where the best three scores for each country were used to determine the ranking of the participating countries. The countries were then pitted against one another in Matchplay knockout rounds.

President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) awards former president, KGU patron and and an Alumni of Mangu High, Mwai Kibaki for his input in Kenyan golf.

By DANIELLA APIYO

The par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club will on Friday host the inaugural Mangu High School Alumni golf day where top golfers are expected to rub shoulders for different prizes.

The announcement was made by the Mangu High school Alumni Association Interim Chairman, Anthony Maina who promised top action and fun.

“Today, we are proud to announce the first Mangu High School Alumni Golf day, which will be held at the Muthaiga Golf Club, we hope that this will be the start of something great that will result in the further development of Mangu High School,” Maina said.

The golf day which is aimed at raising funds to support the school, is open for participation by members of the public.

“This event is aimed at raising funds towards several school projects including, providing bursaries for needy students, renovation of the school boreholes and water reticulation system and replacing of the asbestos roofs to improve rainwater harvesting,” he added.

The school which was founded in 1925 is renowned for producing some of the best brains in the country including former President Mwai Kibaki, former Vice President Moody Awori, the Late Tom Mboya, the Late George Saitoti, the Late Cardinal Otunga, the Late John Michuki, former Attorney General James B. Karugu, former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, former Nation Media Group CEO Wilfred Kiboro, Sportpesa CEO Ronald Karauri among others.

Maina closed by urging Mangu High School alumni, golf enthusiasts and members of the public to join them at the Muthaiga Golf club.

“We call upon all Mangu alumni, golf enthusiasts, corporate sponsors and members of the public to join us on this golf day on Friday the third of August as we seek to raise funds towards the improvement of Mangu High School.”