Nelson Simwa (right) in past action. He will be hoping to defend the Amateur Matchplay title at Muthaiga starting today.

By DONALD WELLINGTON

This year’s Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championships tees of at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club, tomorrow morning where a field of 64 players will be in action for the next four days.

Vet Lab Sports Club’s Nelson Simwa is the reigning champion after he won last year’s championship at Royal Nairobi Golf Club and he will be hoping to successfully defend his title during the only major match play event held in the country.
Willy Kitatta, Uganda’s lone representative in the Championship last year will be in action again hoping to stun the locals at this year tournament. Kitata defied an enthusiastic home gallery at Royal Nairobi Golf Club last year to win a sudden death playoff against Steve Karanja after their semifinal contest ended all-square after 18 holes.
After the four-day tournament the winner will get a slot in the 2015 Barclays Kenya Open. The Kenya Open is a European Tour event with an amateur category.
The event is a knockout tournament and has attracted a total of 64 players boasting handicap 8 and better.
The Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship, organized by Kenya Golf Union (KGU), is one of the oldest and most prestigious match play events in Kenya.
It dates back to 1928 when it was incepted at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club; it is hosted by various golf clubs in the country on a rotational basis. The golf event is also included in the World rankings by the Royal Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in Scotland.
All eyes will be on defending champion Nelson Simwa who clinched the title last year after a tight contest. Other players to watch will be Golfer of the Year series Leader John Karichu of Limuru, South Africa-based Mohit Mediratta and Junior Adel Balala, Justus Madoya and William Odera. Past winners of the Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship have gone on to be some of Kenya leading professional golfers and they include: Greg Snow, Kopan Timbe, G Giddie, N Rokoine and Brian Njoroge. cheap nike air max 90 online cheap nike air max 90 online

Kenya’s Josephine Ainley stretches before teeing off in the first round of the All Africa Challenge Trophy at the Muthaiga Golf Club on Tuesday. Kenya finished second in the competition.

By FIDEL ONO

South Africa today took charge of the 12th All Africa Challenge Trophy, beating hosts Kenya by 11 shots to retain the coveted trophy at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club.

In a nail biting finale from the chasing pack, Kenya was constantly aware of neighbours, Tanzania who had narrowed the gap after round two to only four shots. It was then down to the last group to determine the second and third place – Kenya finished on 453, only two shots ahead of Tanzania on
455.

And South Africa also won the best individual and best junior in Africa trophies. Michael Fletcher came from behind to sign for a 3-under par, 68 gross in the final round to be crowned champion of
Africa. She also recorded the lowest round of this year’s
championships. Michaela is 4th ranked in the South African women’s senior rankings, and is from Maritzburg Golf Club in Kwa Zulu Natal.
Her three round scores 79, 73 and 68 , seven-over, 220 was 5 shots ahead of her compatriot Cara Gorlei who finished on 225 for the 54-hole tournament.
Cara was the first round leader on one-under, 70 and will receive the Best Junior in Africa, dethroning Kenya’s Naomi Wafula who won this title in Botswana in 2012.
Kenya’s Josephine Ainley, who was in second spot going into the last round, had a disappointing 78 to finish in third place just one shot behind Cara Gorlei on 226. Tanzania’s Madina Iddy on 229 was one shot ahead of Naomi Wafula of Kenya, who finished in fifth place.
All the players from South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania made top ten, with Zimbabwe’s Melissa Nawa coming 9th.

Individual Scores (TOP TEN):
1 Fletcher Michaela (RSA), 79 73 68 220 54 ‘+7

2 Gorlei Cara (RSA) 70 75 80 225 54 ‘+12

3 Ainley Josephine (KEN), 72 76 78 226 54 ‘+13

4 Iddy Madina (TZ), 79 77 73 229 54 ‘+16

5 Wafula Naomi (KEN), 73 84 73 230 54 ‘+17

6 Eaton Angel (TZ), 77 79 76 232 54 ‘+19

7 Kruger Magda (RSA), 76 76 81 233 54 ‘+20

8 Wanyeche Hawa (TZ), 81 73 80 234 54 ‘+21

9 Nawa Melissa (ZAM), 79 79 78 236 54 ‘+23

10 Engell Andersen Christina (KEN), 77 81 79 237 54 ‘+24

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