Team Kenya players before they left for the East Africa Golf Challenge in Dar, Tanzania.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Kenya amassed 19.5 points to win the 2017 East African Golf Challenge Trophy following three days of play in Tanzania. The victory, powered by eight local players, two drawn from junior ranks, marked Kenya’s 13^th title since the tournament was inaugurated in 1999.

Defending champions and hosts Tanzania (17) fell 2.5 points shy of the indomitable Kenyans and settled for second place on 17 ponts while Uganda claimed the last podium position on 14 points. Rwanda (10.5), Ethiopia (5.5) and Burundi trailed from 4^th to 6^th in that order.

Bubbly junior gofers Agil Is Haq of Nyali and Mutahi Kibugu of Muthaiga complimented senior players of Team Kenya that comprised Railway Golf club duo of Alfred Nandwa, and Samuel Njoroge, Edwin Mudanyi (Vet Labs), Joseph Gathumbi (Kiambu), John Karichu (Limuru) and Dennis Saikwa Royal Nairobi).

John Karichu battled Ali Saidi of Tnzania of Tanzania to square on the opening day singles while Samuel Njoroge was a 4-3 winner in a duel with Oruo Ronald of Uganda. Mudanyi, Kagwe, Saikwa, Kisia and Nandwa all won their opening day singles while Is Haq fell to Rwanda’s N. Celestine.

Second day saw Kenya win three Foursomes duels while squaring one with Uganda. Saikwa and Njoroge unable to steer clear but still holding out for a draw. Agil and Nandwa combine to down Burundians Harerimana and Djabar 7-6 with another duo of Mudanyi and Kagwe combined to win 3-2 over Rwandan opponents. Kisia and Karichu were 4-3 Foursomes victors over their hosts as Kenya gathered momentum on second day.

Kenya also scooped victory in Day two Better Ball Match Plays as Njoroge/ Saikwa partnership set the golfers on a winning path. Kisia and Karichu, Mudanyi/Kagwe and Nandwa Agil all triumphed while Tanzania won three of four Better Ball Match Plays.

Kenya finished off with 6 wins, a draw and loss in Singles. Mudanyi lost to Ugandan Muhumza while Kisia squared with Tanzanian opponent Amani. Is Haq, Njoroge, Karichu, Kagwe, Saikwa and Nandwa all came out victorious to wrap the title for Kenya.

Kenya last lifted the regional trophy in 2013 when it was staged in Naivasha’s Great Rift Valley Resort. “The boys played some serious golf and that makes me so happy to bring the Cup back to Kenya,” said Kenya’s national team coach John van Liefland.

“We are capable of being the best in Africa ” a purring Richard Wanjalla,
Chairman Kenya Golf Union who had accompanied the team to Tanzania

The tournament was first played in 1999 in Kenya and involves the members of East Africa Community. Competing countries include Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia. The format involves 4 rounds of golf with singles on the first day, foursomes, and four ball better ball on the second day and singles again on the last day. Each country has eight players.

Results:

Kenya 19.5

Tanzania 17

Uganda 14

Rwanda 10.5

Ethiopia 5.5

Burundi 4.5 nike air max trainers nike air max trainers

John Kagichu reacts after missing a putt in a past event.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Kenya National Golf Team to this year’s East African Challenge was named yesterday and is rearing to go as the golfers seek to dethrone Uganda of the title they have possessed for three straight years.

The event scheduled for August 22-26 in Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club, Tanzania brings together six countries namely Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia, all battling out for the coveted East Africa Golf trophy.

A team of eight golfers, 6 senior players and the top 2 juniors, was selected based on the current Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) ranking and Junior Golf Foundation Order of merit from 12 who were in training.

Current KAGC leader Limuru’s John Karichu, second placed Mike Kisia of Vet Lab Sports Club and club mate Edwin Mudanyi, Railways Golf Club’s Alfred Nandwa and Samuel Njoroge as well as Dennis Saikwa of Royal Nairobi Golf Club made the list. Nyali Golf Club’s Agil Is Hag and Mutahi Kibugu of Muthaiga Golf Club took the two junior positions. Last year the two lost to Tanzania 1-up.

“The golfers are in high spirits and are looking to do better than last year where Kenya and Uganda tied with a total of 16 points. They have held successful training sessions for the last one month under the leadership of the new national team coach John Van Lief Land and we are confident they do well,” offered Kenya Golf Union chairperson Richard Wanjalla who will accompany the team as the head of delegation.

Reigning KAGC (formerly Golfer of the Year (Goty) series) champion Kenneth Bollo failed to make the team as he is placed ninth on the rankings. Joseph Gathumbi of Thika Sports Club missed a place too as he is seventh on the standings. Former national team captain Robinson Owiti of Vet lab and Limuru’s Paul Muchangi who were training with the rest did not make the team too.

The defending champions, Uganda, retained the trophy last year in Addis Ababa for the third year running having won it in 2014 at home and in Kigali, Rwanda in 2015

Since the inaugural event in 1999, Kenya has won the trophy a record 12 times and is hoping to better last year’s performance where they finished tied top with champions Uganda. However, according to the East Africa Challenge cup rules, the defending champions automatically retain the trophy in case of tie with another team after the conclusion of four rounds.

Team Kenya Members:
1.Alfred Nandwa-Railways Golf Club
2.Samuel Njoroge – Railway Golf Club
3. Edwin Mudanyi-Vet Labs Sports Club
4. Mike Kisia- Vet labs Sports club
5. John Karichu – Limuru Country Club
6. Dennis Saikwa – Royal Nairobi Golf Club
7.AgilI Is Hag-Nyali Golf Club (Junior)
8.Mutahi Kibugu-Muthaiga Golf Club -(Junior) nike air max womens nike air max womens