Royal Nairobi Golf Club Vice Chairman Zakayo Karemi, left, and Captain Peter Serem receive a dummy cheque from PR and Communications Manager Multichoice Philip Wahome, right, during the launch of The 92nd Tannahill Shield 2016 teams at Royal Nairobi Golf Club today.

By CORRESPONDENT

Kenya’s oldest golf course, Royal Nairobi Golf Club will host the oldest amateur golf tournament in the country, The Tannahill Shield during the Easter Holidays.

The tournament, in it’s 92^nd edition and regarded as the biggest and most prestigious amateur golf event in Sub Saharan Africa will pit players from nine golf clubs around the country against each other for the ultimate prize, The Silver Shield.

Ten golfers will represent each of the nine participating teams in a three way foursomes match-play format. Five junior teams will also take each other on in the tournament scheduled to end on Sunday evening. Muthaiga, Sigona, Vetlab and Royal juniors will be joined by Braeburn School players for the inaugural Junior Foursomes Easter Tournament.

Defending champions Royal Nairobi who are the hosts will be represented by Kenyan internationals Bo Ciera, Jay Sandhu and Kenneth Bollo among others while hot favourites Sigona boast of the likes of Amit Modi, Parit Mehta and Shiv Shah among others. Muthaiga will be led my Ashwin Goodimal, Anthony Irungu and Bhavnish Chandaria among others.

The 2016 edition received a Sh3.5 million cash boost from satellite broadcaster Multi-choice, communications company Jamii Telecom, private equity firm Musimba and the Kenya Nuclear Energy Board

Unlike the previous years where the tournament activities were restricted to the three easter days, the 2016 event will encompass a week long schedule of golfing activities, mostly training by the visiting teams. “The scoring system which determines the winners of the Tannahill Shield. Two points for a win, one point for a draw and no points for a loss.” Royal Nairobi captain Peter serem said

“We are hoping to retain the Shield for a third time in a row. In our team there are some highly rated amateur golfers and other experienced players who have the the pedigree to win again. The only teams we fear are Muthaiga and Sigona but we’ll still give our best and fight to retain our title.” Serem added

Besides the foursomes match play, there will be longest drive competitions for men including seniors and women over 45 years. Professional golfers are also allowed to participate in the longest drive competition. nike air max cheap wholesale nike air max cheap wholesale

By CORRESPONDENT

Sebastian Soderberg surged to a maiden European Challenge Tour victory as he won the season-opening Barclays Kenya Open by three shots at Nairobi’s Karen Country Club.

The Swede held a three shot advantage overnight and never faltered, his five under par final round of 67 – his fourth round in the 60s this week – putting him on 18 under par overall in front of the watching President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Soderberg now takes an early lead in the Road to Oman Rankings after earning 35,200 points and the 25 year old has already fulfilled one of his season aims by winning for the first time.

“It feels pretty unreal right now,” he said. “I was just trying to keep it together all day – one of my goals for the season was to win an event on the Challenge Tour, so I’ve crossed that off the list

“It gives me a good boost so I’m more excited than ever for the rest of the season, but I haven’t really had long to think about it yet, it hasn’t sunk in properly.

“I had the same approach today as the rest of the week and it worked pretty well, though I changed it on 18 a bit and took three wood, just to make sure.

“I had a slow front nine but I managed to make a few birdies around the turn and after that I just tried to keep calm and carry on – it was tough, but it feels really good now.

“The crowds and support were incredible. I missed the cut here last year so didn’t get to experience the weekend atmosphere but I’ve never known a Challenge Tour event like it, it was amazing.”

In second place was Frenchman Romain Langasque, playing in his penultimate event as an amateur before he turns professional after competing in next month’s Masters Championship at Augusta.

The 20 year old fired a final round of 65 – breaking Louis Oosthuizen’s course amateur record – and becomes the first player to take advantage of new regulations allowing amateurs to earn Road to Oman Ranking points.

“It was a good round,” he said. “I knew my game was good before this round, I’d just been making a few mistakes in the first few rounds, so this morning I just thought I’d play my own game.

“My attitude was perfect all week, so all the work of this winter is working now, and it’s good to play like that before Augusta because I’m confident that I can play well even with that added pressure.

“The Rankings points is great because I now think it is enough for me to now play a full season on the Challenge Tour, which is one less pressure. Now my objective is to finish in the top 15 and get on the European Tour next year.”

Germany’s Bernd Ritthammer took third place on 14 under par, three shots ahead of compatriot Sebastian Heisele, South African duo Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Dylan Frittelli and Norway’s Espen Kofstad.

The next stop on the Road to Oman is Egypt for the Red Sea Egyptian Challenge Presented by Hassan Allam Properties next month, the second of 28 tournaments on this year’s schedule that will visit 22 different countries. cheap air max 97 cheap air max 97