Dismas Indiza in action during a past tournament.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Mumias Sugar’s Dismas Indiza, Windsor Golf Club’s Riz Charania and Thika’s Simon Ngige are among top Kenya professional golfers leading a contingent of 19 local professional players who have been confirmed to take part at this year’s Barclay Kenya Open Golf Championship at the Muthaiga Golf Club from March 22 to 25.

The 19 are part of a total of 22 Kenyan professionals that the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) will submit to the Kenya Open. According to the Tournament Director, Patrick Obath, PGK carried out their qualification rounds and submitted the names.

“The contingent of Kenyan professionals is selected by the PGK through their own criteria and they in turn send in the names. So far the PGK has submitted 19 names and I am expecting another three names from them shortly,” he said

Indiza, Ngige, and Charania, automatically qualified for the 2018 Barclays Kenya Open Golf Championship by virtue of making the cut at the 2017 tournament; while the remaining 16 have been selected through a series of qualification events that have been organized by the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) over the last three months.

Others who have been confirmed are Golf Park’s Tom Omuli, David Wakhu and veteran golfer Jacob Okello; Muthaiga’s Greg Snow, Nicholas Rokoine, Kopan Timbe and Frank Matilo; Sigona’s John Wangai; Vet lab’s Brian Njoroge, Nelson Simwa and Matthew Omondi; Nyali’s Njuguna Ngugi; Railways’ Alfred Nandwa; Els Club’s Stefan Andersen; Royal’s Erick Obura and Great Rift’s Justus Madoya.

Commenting on the Kenya Open Pre-Qualificaiton round slotted for Monday the 19^th of March, 2018 at Vet Lab Sports Club, Obath said it is the Kenyan professionals who stand the best chance to grab the 3-slots on offer there.

“The Pre-Q will be held Vet Lab and on offer are an additional 3-slots in the 2018 Barclays Kenya Open. I believe our local golf professionals are best suited to claim all of these slots,” he said. “So in theory, we can expect to have 25 Kenyan professionals playing next week.”

In addition to the Pros, four Kenyan amateur players have been selected to play at this year’s Kenya Open; with two others being invited from Uganda and Tanzania to complete the roster of six amateur players slots allocated to the Kenya Open Golf Limited.

The four include Vet Lab’s Edwin Mudanyi, Muthaiga’s Bhavnish Chandaria, Royal’s Dennis Saikwa and Nyali’s Daniel Nduva. Tanzanian Victor Joseph and Ugandan Ronald Rugumayo complete the local amateurs list for this year’s tournament.

Indiza, who made his Kenya Open debut in 1996 at the Muthaiga Golf Club and whose best score came in 2008 when he finished T10 with a gross score of 5-under 279, will be a favorite going into this year’s tournament where expectations are high from local supporters. shoesalesonlines shoesalesonlines

From Left to right- National Fund Chairman, Luke Luseno, acting CEO Mark Wambughu, Kenya Golf Union Chairman Richard Wanjalla, Kenya Open Golf LTD Chairman, Peter Kanyago and Kenya Open Golf Limited PR and Sponsorship Director, Kathleen Kihanya during today’s cheque presentation ceremony.

By AMANDA DAMARIS

The Government, through National Sports Fund has today announced a Sh50 million sponsorship towards the 50^th edition of the Kenya Open Tournament.

This is in line with a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta at the conclusion of the 2017 Barclays Kenya Open, to raise the standard of the Championship.

Speaking during the cheque handover ceremony, National Sports Fund’s Chairman Luke Luseno said that the government is committed to supporting the growth of sports- in this case, golf in the country.

“The government, through the National Sports Fund, has undertaken to sponsor and fund sports across the board. Sponsoring the Kenya Open tournament is in line with the president’s directive to develop golf, especially for junior players, and position the country as a golfing destination,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) PR and sponsorship Director, Kathleen Kihanya noted that the government’s support will go a long way in raising the standards of the Kenya Open Championships.

“We welcome this significant sponsorship from the government, which has placed the Kenya Open at the top of the European Challenge Tour events. With continued support from the government, we are confident that the Kenya Open is going to move on to the main European tour.”

This year’s championship will be the most lucrative tournament on the European Challenge tour boasting of a total prize kitty of 500,000 Euros (KES. 62.5 Million).

The 50th Edition of the Kenya Open Tournament will take place on 22nd-25th March at the Muthaiga Golf Club. The tournament is set to attract a total of 156 participants, of these 22 will local professional golfers and 4 amateurs.

Tickets to the championship are available for sale on www.ticketsasa.com. air max 95 air max 95