FROM LEFT-RIGHT: Hemingways Collection CEO Alastair Addison and Marketing Manager Anne Murungi Present a Cheque to Kenya Open Golf Limited Chairman Peter Kanyago, and KOGL Sponsorship Director Samuel Ndegwa at Hemingways Nairobi today.

By CORRESPONDENT

The Kenya Open Golf Championship has received a Kshs 2.3 million sponsorship from Hemingways Collection, Nairobi, ahead of the tee off early next month.

The annual championship which has grown in stature since its inception 46 years ago has attracted household names who are expected to compete for at least Kshs. 23 million which will be up for grabs during the 4-day tournament at the Karen Country Club in Nairobi.

“Hemingways Collection is proud to be associated with the Kenya Open Golf Championship and our sponsorship is intended to assist the organizers in continuing to develop this outstanding tournament become the best Golf Tournament on the European Challenge Tour circuit,” said Alastair Addison, Hemingways Collection CEO during the announcement at Hemingways Nairobi.

The sponsorship will cater for the accommodation of all the championship officials at the facility including two referees, tournament administrator, Director of the Challenge Tour, an agronomist and two press officers among others.

“This tournament is one of the greatest we have in the African soil and we recognize the role that tournament officials play in making it a success,” said Alastair. “Hemingways Nairobi is conveniently located next to the golf course and this will work in favour of the organizers,” he added.

Speaking at the same function, Chairman of Kenya Open Golf Tournament Limited, Mr. Peter Kanyago said, “We are grateful for this great boost from Hemingways and other companies who have come out to support this championship. The golf course is in great shape and we are looking forward to a very competitive championship and we urge supporters to come in their numbers and rally behind their favourite players especially our very own.”

A total of 156 players from Africa, South America, Europe, United States, Korea among others have confirmed participation in the championship with Kenya registering over 20 players. No Kenyan player has ever won the championship since its inception, the hosts’ best finish coming in 1998 when Jacob Okello finished second.

Spaniard, Jordi Garcia Pinto, won last year’s championship and is expected to defend his title. Greg Snow was the best placed local in the previous edition finishing 34^th overall with a par of 284.

“We will offer a free weekend here at Hemingways Nairobi for any Kenyan player who wins the championship,” pledged the facility CEO Alastair.

The prestigious tournament is expected to tee off on the 6^th of March with the final round slated for three days later on the 9^th. cheap nike air max 90 uk cheap nike air max 90 uk

WELL OUT: Vincent Wang’ombe comes out of a bunker during the Barclays Golf Circuit grand finale at the Karen Golf and Country Club on Saturday.

By CORRESPONDENT

Dalveer Hunjan almost quit playing golf three years ago, but after making a u-turn he is now happy to have won the grand finale of the Barclays Golf Circuit second edition at the par 70 Karen Golf and Country Club on Saturday.

The handicap 13 Kericho Golf Club player beat a large field of 200 finalists and guests to rule the roost at the daylong event on a score of 38 stableford points. The fete has earned him a fully paid golfing tour on the expansive golf courses in South Africa.

“It’s a good feeling to win here today, because I haven’t won any tournament for the last three years and I can’t wait to play at the Barclays Kenya Open Pro Am,” said Hunjan who finished fourth at the Nyanza leg of the circuit on September 28.

In the first nine he posted five pars for a score of 21, then managed four pars and a birdie on the par three hole 16 for a second nine score of 17.

Patrick Mbuthia of Njoro was the runner-up on 37 points, while Limuru’s Kirumba Mukuria was third on 36 points and Uday Rajani who won the final leg of qualifier at Muthaiga a fortnight ago, finished fourth on 35 points.

Eldoret’s Chepchumba Chumo was the lady winner on 33 points, while Stella Mwangi finished as the lady runner-up on 32 point and Mike Mugasa won the guest prize on 38 points.

Alfred Wachira was the staff winner on 34 points, while Daniel Achila posted the best first nine score on 21 points and F. M. Kaharuka won the second nine prize on a similar score of 21 points.

Betty Gacheru had the ladies straightest drive while D. Mwaniki won the men straightest driven, as Maurice Monni had the men nearest to the pin and Stella Mwanga had the ladies nearest to the pin.

Speaking during the prize giving ceremony, Barclays Bank’s risk officer William Juma Arogo said they were happy with the success of the second edition of the circuit and lauded all players who took part in the circuit that teed off on July 27 last year at the Limuru Golf and Country Club before visiting 14 clubs including Eldoret, Nakuru, Machakos, Thika, Nyanza, Sigona, Nyali, Windsor, Royal, Karen, Vet Lab and Muthaiga before the finale, bringing together participants of all clubs in the country, with a minimum of nine qualifiers from each leg.

“The top 18 players at today’s finale have booked themselves automatic slots to play at this year’s Barclays Kenya Open Golf Pro Am competition slated for early next month at the same venue. The other two will come from Uganda where we had a similar circuit. Courtesy of Barclays hospitality, the 20 players will also get season tickets and VIP guest passes to the Barclays Hospitality tent at the Barclays Kenya Open Golf championship set to run between March 6 and 9.

Qualifiers to play at the Kenya Open Pro AM: Dalveer Hunjan (Kericho), Patrick Mbuthia (Njoro), Kirumba Mukuria (Limuru), Uday Rajani, Ben Orwako, Pius Angasa (Muthaiga), Baljit Sokhi, J. Chebukati (Royal), N. Muge (Nandi Bears), Watson Burugu (Thika), N. Nanji (Sigona), James Ndunda (Machakos), Paul K. Mugambi (Karen), R. Bhayani (Nyanza), David Achila (Mumias), F. M. Kahuruka, M. Githu (Railway), Paul Muhia (Nakuru). pandora charms uk pandora charms uk