Kenya Open Golf Limited directors (from left to right) Francis Okwara (KGU Chairman), Peter Warui, Joe Wangai, Peter Kanyago (Chairman), Patrick Obath ( tournament director), Kathleen Kihanya and Samson Ndegwa during a luncheon to launch the sponsorship campaign for 2014 Kenya Open at a Nairobi hotel today.

By FIDEL ONO

The prize money for next year’s Barclays Kenya Open Golf Championship has been increased from 195, 000 Euros to 200, 000 Euros.

This was announced today by Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) chairman Peter Kanyago when the event organisers Kenya Open Golf Limited hosted tournament sponsors and suppliers to a luncheon at a Nairobi Hotel.

“This year’s event was successful and it gives us a great challenge to make next year’s tournament even better. We have raised the prize money from this year’s Sh22.9million (195, 000 Euros) to Sh23.6million for next year’s event,” said Kanyago.

He added: “To raise this we need a lot of money and we have a budget of Sh50 million to host a successful tournament. The four round tournament will be held between March 6 and 9 at the Karen Golf and Country Club.”

The Kenya Open is considered as Africa’s premier event, but ironically there is no Kenyan player who has won it in history.

The closest a Kenyan came to winning the tournament was in 1998 when Golf Park’s Jacob Okello tied with Argentine Ricardo Gonzalez after four rounds and before losing in a sudden death play-off.

Spain’s Jordi Garcia Pinto claimed his maiden European Challenge Tour title at this year’s tournament after an intensely dramatic finale at the Barclays Kenya Open, finishing one shot clear of Tim Sluiter.

“Sponsors should seize the opportunity to advertise their products on the greens and tees during the event and they will certainly get value for their money. More than half of the Sh50 million budget goes to prize money and sanction fees,” said tournament director Patrick Obath.

The platinum sponsorship will cost Sh10m, while gold sponsorship will cost Sh7.5m and Silver sponsorship will cost Sh5m. Bronze sponsorship will cost Sh2.5m. huarache homme huarache homme

Brinson Paolini poses with the winner’s trophy after claiming a maiden professional victory at Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge, in just his third start on the Challenge Tour on Sunday.

By CORRESPONDENT

Brinson Paolini fired four rounds in the 60s en route to claiming a maiden professional victory at Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge, in just his third start on the Challenge Tour.

The American kept his cool in the heat of the final day at Golf PGA France du Vaudreuil, carding a solitary bogey in his final 54 holes en route to an impressive score of 19 under par, at the end of a week disrupted by the weather.

For much of the final day it had looked like Sihwan Kim would be the recipient of the trophy at the inaugural staging of this event. However his four shot lead with 18 holes to go evaporated after the turn, and a three putt bogey on the last cost him a place in a play-off, as he fell into a share of second place alongside Spain’s Adrian Otaegui.

Paolini was clearly overjoyed with his victory though, and it comes as no surprise for a man who has enjoyed great amateur success the other side of the Atlantic.

“It is an incredible feeling, I don’t think it will sink in until tomorrow to be honest,” explained Paolini. “To get a win in my third start as a professional is something that I could not have even dreamed of happening, so I’m very happy.

“Switzerland was my first event and I finished second and was in contention there, which did a lot for my confidence, to know that I can play and compete out here at the highest level. I always enter tournaments trying to win, but it is whether you believe that you can win or not, which is a different battle. But I believed I could this week, and I’m just very grateful and fortunate to be here.”

“I have no idea what my schedule will be going forward, as before I was just trying to get a few starts here and there, so it is an amazing feeling to know that I have status here and have somewhere to play. I’ve got a good chance now of perhaps getting my European Tour card too, which would be incredible, so I’ll sit down tonight and figure it all out.”

Through nine holes of the final round, and for much of the second and third days, it had looked like the trophy would end up in the hands of Kim, who led by at least four strokes at numerous points.

However five shots dropped round the turn saw the Korean fall a couple of shots behind the leading players, and although he bounced back with birdies at the 15th and 17th, a costly bogey at the last saw him lose out.

Alongside Kim in a share of second place was Otaegui, who carded three birdies on his front nine en route to the top of the leaderboard as Kim dropped back. However a card bereft of red numbers on the final nine holes, as well as a bogey at 14, saw him finish one shot shy of a play-off.

England’s Philip Archer (67) finished in a tie for fourth in France, thanks in part to two consecutive eagles from the seventh on Sunday, the same mark as Dylan Frittelli (68), Daan Huizing (68) and Duncan Stewart (68), all of whom finished at 17 under par. canada goose paris canada goose paris