Today’s cheque presentation.

By CORRESPONDENT

Hemingways Holdings yesterday announced their sponsorship partnership for the 48^th Edition of the Annual Kenya Open Golf Tournament. The tournament, which will take place at the Karen Golf Club, on the 17^th-20^th March, will host 156 professional golfers from Europe, America, Asia and parts of Africa, including local golf professionals and amateurs. Of the 156 players, 22 are local, 11 from other African countries and 117 are internationals.

In a month’s time, players will be teeing off at the Barclays Kenya Open and the European Challenge Tour will have taken its first step on the Road to Oman 2016. The Kenya Open is part of the European Challenge Tour that includes 28 tournaments in 22 different countries.

Speaking on Thursday during a meeting at Hemingways Nairobi in Karen, the group’s CEO said that the Kenya Open is a great marketing tool that will shine the spotlight on Kenya as a professional golfing destination in Africa.

“By offering our sponsorship to Kenya Open Golf limited we believe we are part of the long term future of Professional Golf in this country. Events such as the Kenya Open are wonderful showcases for Destination Kenya and what this spectacular country and its people have to offer international tourists and business travellers,” said Mr. Alastair Addison, CEO, Hemingways Holdings Ltd.

Speaking at the same event, Barclays Kenya Open Golf LTD Chairman, Mr. Peter Kanyago, said that this year’s Barclays’ sponsored Kenya Open Tournament held a lot of promise for aspiring golfing professionals in Kenya and the rest of the world. The tournament has attracted worldwide representation from top golf professionals, but is yet to produce a winner from Kenya.  Last year, 20 year old Haydn Porteous from Johannesburg won the Kenyan series of the European tour.

“There a number of golf players from Kenya who we are rallying behind to win this tournament. We hope that this time round, a Kenyan gets to take the trophy home at the end of the tournament,” said Mr. Kanyago.

Mr. Kanyago expressed delight to partner with Hemingways Holdings LTD as accommodation sponsors for the 48^th edition of the Kenya Open Tournament.

“We are delighted to partner with Hemingways Holdings LTD, a hotel and luxury group which is a leader in the hospitality and service industry in Kenya. We are sure that the tournament will play a key role in promoting tourism and hotels like Hemingways will provide exceptional service to tournament officials.”

H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta, Former President Mwai Kibaki and Sports, Culture and Arts Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala will grace this year’s Barclays Kenya Open Tournament.

cheap nike air max 90 online cheap nike air max 90 online

Jacob Okelo in action during a recent event.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Golf Park’s resident professional Jacob Okello shot an impressive round of 4 under par 67 to take an early lead after the first day of the KCB Pro- Am Corporate Golf day at the par 72 Thika Golf club.

Okello who is the sole Pro to have finished second in the coveted Kenya Open, shot an impressive first nine with score of 1 over 37 and did even better in the second nine with a superb score of 6 under 30.

“The course is playing well despite the sunny conditions. I look forward to an even better outing tomorrow so that I keep this guys at bay,” said Okello who is also the current chairman of the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK).

In second place was Vet Lab’s Nelson Simwa who shot 2 under par 70 to announce his intention for the Kshs. 2 million prize money on offer.

Six players tied in third position with a level par score, they included Nakuru based Richard Ainley, Stuart Cohen, Railway’s Njuguna Ngugi, David Wakhu of Golf Park, Sullivan Muthugia, and Limuru’s Joseph Karanja.

Tony Omuli and Nyanza Golf Club’s David Odhiambo tied on a score of one over par 73.

This year the tour has been renewed to feature amateurs in various golf clubs that the tournament will be staged.

Kenya Professional golfer captain John Wangai said there will be a cut after two rounds where only the top 12 Pros will proceed for the last two rounds and battle it out for the cash prizes.

Conspicuously missing in the top bracket was the long hitting Mumias resident Pro Dismas Indiza who has been doing very well in the past KCB Golf tours. Maybe it is too early to count him out as the Golfers still have another round to make cut before the last two final rounds to be played on Friday and Saturday.

pandora jewelry pandora jewelry