Naomi Wafula (L), J Simba and Gareth Shaw of North Ireland on the fairway during the Kenya Open Dasani sponsored Pro Am at Muthaiga Golf Club.

By DONALD WELLINGTON

Italian professional Andrea Pavan steered his team to this year’s Dasani-sponsored Kenya Open Pro Am tournament held at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club on Wednesday.

Pavan teaming up with handicap 16 Linus Gitahi and handicap 23 M. Wambugu, managed a combined score of 14 under par 57 and Pavan pocketed Sh41, 300 (350 Euros) for the feat.

Pavan who will be among the players to watch at the Kenya Open Golf Championships in Karen, started his round with three back-to-back pars in the first three holes, then picked shots on the par five hole four and par three hole five.

He pared hole six, before picking a birdie on the par five hole seven, then dropped a shot on the par four eighth hole and pared hole nine for a score of 34 in the first nine.

In the second nine, Pavan started with a par on hole 10, but played a bogey on the par three 11^th hole, then recovered with a birdie on the par four 12^th. He pared holes 13, 14, 15 and 16, then picked a shot on the par four 17^th for a second nine score of 34.

Englishman Chris Gawe anchored his team made up of lady golfer K. Kihanya and Peter Karoki to the tournament’s runners-up position on a team score of 13 under par 58. Gawe earned Sh29, 500 (250 Euros) for the feat.

Andrew Bernadet also of England anchored his team to third position to pocket Sh17, 700 (150 Euros). He teamed up with I. Bhanzi and P. Mbogma.

The best nett team score per hole was the scoring system in the competition.

All the individual winners at the tournament also pocketed Sh70, 800 (600 Euros) each.

Six players posted the day’s best score of three under par 68. They included Pavan, Scottish duo of David Law and Wallace Booth, England’s Tyrell Hatton and Edward Dubois of France. michael kors sac a main michael kors sac a main

Richard Ainley follows his tee shot at a past tournament.

By DONALD WELLINGTON

Nakuru’s professional golfer Richard Ainley has pulled out of this year’s Barclays Kenya Open Golf Championship set for Karen Club from Wednesday.

Ainley made the announcement to www.kenyagolfguide.co.ke on Friday evening after being crowned the runner up at the third edition of the JTL Masters.

He said organizers of the tournament had made it too expensive for local players to feature at the tournament and if one failed to make the cut, would end up losing big time.

“I will not be playing at this year’s Kenya Open. I am serious and my decision is final,” said Ainley.

He added: “Playing at the Kenya Open one needs a minimum of Sh60, 000, because there is a registration fee of Sh20, 000, caddie fee for a whole week is Sh21, 000 and transport to and from the venue including food, the figure goes beyond Sh60, 000. Why should I pay to play at the Open?” nike air max femme pas cher nike air max femme pas cher