FROM LEFT-RIGHT: Ben Kiraithe-Vice Captain RNGC, Mona W.Karingi-Marketing Manager Coca-Cola, Odongo.M.Okeyo-Chairman RNGC, Karim Pisani-Captain RNGC, Lucy Awiti-Ladu Captain RNGC.

By CORRESPONDENT

The greens of the Royal Nairobi Golf Club are once again set for the traditional Easter tournament- the Tanahill Shield. In its 90^th edition, this year’s tournament scheduled for 18^th – 20^th April 2014 has attracted soft drinks manufacturer Coca-Cola as title sponsor

Speaking at the sponsorship announcement ceremony held at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club, Coca- Cola Africa Marketing Manager Ms. Mona W. Karingi lauded the tournament organizers for maintaining a streak for what is arguably Kenya’s longest running annual tournament. “90 years is indeed a long time and to consistently attract and maintain first class standards that has made the Tanahill what it is not an easy task” said Ms. Karingi. She added this legacy of longevity blends well with the Coca-Cola brand that has been serving refreshing beverages for 128 years.

Ms. Karingi spoke at the cheque hand over Ceremony where Coca- Cola committed Ksh. 2.3 million towards this tournament. Receiving the cheque on behalf of the tournament organizers, Royal Nairobi Golf Club Captain Mr. Karim Pisani thanked Coca- Cola for their continued support and participation in the Tanahill Shield tournament. He said “It is no secret that the support of partners like Coca- Cola goes a long way in making this tournament what is today and we applaud you and fellow sponsors and partners for breathing life into this 90 year old legacy.”

“True to the nature of the tournament, we promise a repertoire of exciting events for both the players and guests”. “We have been challenged by the clubs to raise the bar in the event package and we have taken the challenge in our stride and package what we expect to be the best tournament in its 90 year history” added Mr. Pisan.

Coca-Cola, through its entire product range will provide refreshments for the players and spectators

The tournament was inaugurated in February 1924 traditionally known as the “Easter Tournament”. Amateur Players from selected Clubs congregate in Nairobi to play for the Silver Shield – famously referred to as the Tannahill Shield since 1938 when it was presented by Mrs.Tannahillin recognition of the contribution made to the Royal Nairobi Golf Club by her late husband – Arthur Tannahil.The Royal Nairobi golf Club has been the traditional home of the event.

Since its inception, participation is by the invitation of the Royal Nairobi Golf Club General Committee. In initial years, five clubs (Kiambu, Mombasa, Muthaiga, Nakuru and Nyeri) were invited to send teams comprising eight members. These days, nine clubs take part and the original format of foursomes match is still at play. The organizing committee has resisted many attempts over the years to convert it to a Ryder Cup style of singles, pairs and foursomes.

Taking a look at the past winners of the Tannahill Easter Tournament, in the early years Nairobi was virtually unbeatable, winning or tying in most events from 1924 to 1936.

Since the turn of the millennium, Muthaiga Golf Club has dominated the pole position – winning 8 out of the past 10 events.

The participating teams in this year’s event are Windsor, Mombasa, Karen, Sigona, Western, Limuru, Muthaiga, Railways and the Host Club Royal Nairobi Golf Club.

Coca-Cola is the official sponsor of the Royal Nairobi Golf Club Team which comprises of: Jay Sandhu, Bo Ciera(Team Captain), Josiah Kogo, Eric Ooko Obura, Jatinder Thethy, Jonathan Chebukati, Quaram Bhatti, Joshua Ichangi, Murwithania Mugambi and Peter Muigai Mburu. The Team Manager is Charan Thethy.

TANNAHILL SHIELD WINNERS 2010 – 2013:

2010 MUTHAIGA

2011 MUTHAIGA

2012 MUTHAIGA

2013 MUTHAIGA/SIGONA

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KGU chairman Francis Okwara (left) address members of the press as Fr Dominic Wamugunda of Golf Talent Foundation looks on at Muthaiga Golf Club today.

By KGG CORRESPONDENT

KENYA Golf Union (KGU) has today justified their mode of selecting the national team to represent the country at this year’s Africa Zone VI Championship at the Denonvale Golf Club in South Africa from Monday and exuded confidence of the players picked ahead of their departure.

KGU chairman Francis Okwara who was speaking during the launch of the Golf Talent Foundation (GTF) strategic plan at the Muthaiga Golf Club, said given that golf was now considered as an olympic sport, they had resorted to use qualifying events to pick the national teams instead of individual performances at the Golfer Of The Year (GOTY) tournaments like in the past.

The selection of the national team attracted a heated debate on different forums, owing to the fact that the defending GOTY winner and current GOTY leader both who are considered as the finest amateurs in the country, missed the national team.

“We have been using the Goty as our selection criteria, but since since is now an Olympic sport we now have to go for qualifying events to pick the national teams as required by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and this will be used in picking the national teams for all major future events,” said Okwara.

He added: “We invited the top 10 players for the qualifiers and everyone agreed to play the 54-hole competition and we made our selection from the performance at the specific event.”

Meanwhile, GTF today launched a strategic plan that is geared towards taking the level of the sport to a new level.

The foundation seek to promote and develop existing talented golf players to a higher level and developing them into national team members and beyond and to search for existing talent within the golf fraternity in the country.

“GTF is a subsidiary of the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) and the foundation trustees are in agreement that there is untapped potential of young men and women in the country who if nurtured well can become great golfers who can position our country in the world map in as far as the sport is concerned,” said Okwara.

He added: “Today marks an improtant milestone one that will define the running of this foundation for the next five years by launching a five-year strategic plan. The plan is a summation of our ambitions and a declaration of our belief in ourselves as a team to achieve the goals we have set out.”

The plan has four main segments that include vision statement, mission statement, philosophy and statement of core values which is subdivided into integrity, inclusivity, talented-golfer wellbeing and stewardship.

Speaking on behalf of the trustees, Dominic Wamugunda said a series of performance targets had been developed to support the four main aims and objectives of the strategic plan.

“These are top level targets and are underpinned in the sections which follow, as well as in the annual plans which will support this strategic plan,” said Wamugunda.

He added: “It should also be noted that the overall aim of GTF is to identify talented young Kenyans who will be provided with life-skill assistance and playing opportunities in order to produce successful, well-rounded golfers who win every event they enter.”

The foundation plans that by 2017, at least 10 players in top 500, five in top 100 and two in top 50 in the men and women world amateur golf rankings. They also plan to have at least five of their players in the top 10 of the Golfer Of The Year competition and at least two players in the top 10 finishes in the Kenya Open Golf Championship by 2017. cheap air max 95 cheap air max 95