KGU chairman Lucas Maranga (right) and former chairman Richard Wanjala (left) at a past event. KGU named a team to represent the country at the Victoria Cup on Thursday.

By AMANDA DAMARIS

Just a day after Kenya Golf Union (KGU) released the names of golfers who will do duty at the third edition of the Victoria Cup set for July 25-28 at VetLab Sports Club, questions have been raised on the criteria the union used to come up with the ten names that were released.

Former captain Robinson Owiti is set to move to the Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) on Monday seeking heir intervention on the matter as he says that consultations with the Union management have not yielded any fruits as different officials have conflicting information on the same.

Initially KGU used the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) tournament standings to select their teams and then proposed a qualifying tournament format which was not well received. For the Victoria Cup, a tournament was organized for the inaugural event while the KAGC standings were used in the edition’s selection.

“Golfers have asked for the criteria used but nothing is forthcoming. Traditionally, an announcement was made on when the team will be unveiled for any tournament but it was not the case for this edition. The naming has also been done too close to the tournament as opposed to a month or two to the said competition as is the norm,” said Owiti.

The golfer has also questioned how three golfers were handed wild cards at the expense of others who are ranked higher on the current KAGC standings after the Coronation Trophy.

Simon Njogu of Great Rift, Samuel Njoroge and John Lejirma of Railways and Owiti who plays for Vet Lab are ranked fourth to seventh

on the KAGC standings and would have made the team had that criteria been used. However in their place Dennis Saikwa, Paul Muchangi and Daniel Nduva ranked 8th to 10th have made the team.

In the union’s defence, tournament director Antony Murage explained that the KAGC standings were not used and a decision was reached to add the slots for juniors from two to three. Additionally only one wild card was given to disabled golfer Isaac Makhoha following a good golfing season.

“The other six slots were rightfully awarded to players who ranked high in the moving average. This criterion selects the top golfers from ten best average scores from the last 12 tournaments. As for the timing of the team naming, we had to wait for the Kenya Amateur match play to be over before compiling the team,” said Murage adding that the team is already in training and the union is confident they will perform well.

A winner during the Prize Giving in Nyali.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Home player Joseph Oluoch shot 39 stableford points to win the fourth and penultimate round of the KCB Road To The Masters at Nyali Golf and Country Club over the weekend.

In winning the coast round of the KCB sponsored five leg series, Oluoch led six qualifiers to this month’s Karen Masters slated for Karen Country Club.

Simon Wambugu took the men’s prize ahead of Gurbux Singh on 37 points, and finishing in third place in the men’s section was Bruno Cerber with 36 points.

Mary Kandu posted 36 points to win on the ladies category ahead of Venessa Peri’s who carded on 32 stableford points.

Frederick Wangura was guest winner with 36points.

Ali Karim and Truphena Oyaro won the longest drive contest, with Charles Rob and Truphena going home the nearest to pin prize.

Qualifiers from the coast were Oluoch (overall winner), Symon Wambugu (men winner), lady winner Mary Kandu, guest winner Frederick Wangura, John Nzioka (staff winner) and longest drive best lady Truphena Oyaro.

Andrew Wahome carded 34 points to win the junior title.

Oluoch was all smiles after victory and this is what he had to say:” Its such a great honor to make it to the KCB Karen Masters. I hope to use this opportunity to give it best shot and represent my club well, I wish to thank my four ball for encouraging me all the way,” said Oluoch.

KCB Regional Business Manager Coast Jane Isiaho thanked all the golfers for gracing the penultimate round of the KCB Karen Masters qualifiers.

“I’m really honored to be here for the awards ceremony of the KCB Road to the Masters, Nyali edition. This is the 4th of the five tournaments that will culminate to the KCB Karen Masters 2018, scheduled to take place from 17th -22nd July 2018 at Karen Country Club. Two weeks ago, we launched the prestigious KCB Karen Master 2018, a fully Sunshine Tour sanctioned event that will present four days of pros competition, two days of pro-am tournament and a junior golf clinic. I take this opportunity to invite you to Muthaiga Golf Club on 7th July 2018 for the final series of KCB Road to the Masters.. Congratulations to all the winners and success as you head to Karen. Finally, we are excited to have hosted all of you including our existing and potential customers. For us as KCB, golf is one of the avenues of interacting with our customers and appreciating them for supporting our business. We ask those who are not already customers to try us and enjoy our partnership to catalyse your lives and your businesses,” said Isiaho.

At Ruiru Sports Club, Jacob Theuri playing off handicap 24, carded 21 in the first nine and 23/in the second mine to win the London Golf tournament with 44 stableford points.

The rest of the winners were as follows:-

Men winner Dr James Njagu  hcp  15, (21,20) 41pts

Men runners up  Josphat Mbugua  hcp 23(24,17) 41pts

Men third George Karuku  hcp 26 (21,19) 40pts

Lady winner  Maragaret Maina hcp 26(21,17) 38pts

Lady runners up  Irene wamoro hcp  19 (18,18) 36pts

Lady third Lucy Kwendo  hcp 24, (21,15) 36pts

1st nine winner Mwangi Mukururi hcp 21 , 21pts

2nd Nine winer  Edward Wanderi  hcp 27, 23pts

Sponsor winner Anthony Kamau hcp  21, (18,21) 39pts

Guest lady winner Maragaret Maina hcp 26(21,17) 38pts

Guest men winner Sidney Shilako hcp 28,(22,15)37pts

Longest drive men winner Benard Omondi

Longest lady winner Irene wamoro

Nearest to the pin men winner Sidney shilako

Nearest to the pin Lady winner Beatrice Waweru