PGK Chairman Riz Charania putts during a past tournament. He is confident Kenyans can this year win Kenya Open.

By DONALD WELLINGTON

Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) will this year have 22 slots for local pros at the 45th Barclays Kenya Open Golf Championships set to be held at the par 70 Karen Golf and Country Club from February 13 to 17.
This has been announced by PGK Chairman Riz Charania, who noted that the decision to increase the number of locals in the continent’s premier event was a step in the right direction.
“We are happy the number of local professionals for the Open has increased from 20 last year to 22 this time and there is still a chance for more locals to play at the event because plans are under way to have a pre-tournament qualifying event that will see the top three players book tickets for the Open as well,” said Charania who noted that the qualifying event would be open to professionals even foreigners.
He added: “We already have the list of the 22 players and we will formally release them soon. The criteria we used in selecting the 22 players was going by the PGK order of merit, we also gave preference to players who made the cut during the last Kenya Open and those who won tournaments in the last year.”
The tournament, which returns to Karen Club for the first time since 2008, having been played at Muthaiga Golf Club in the interim, will be curtain raised by a traditional Pro Am event at the same venue, to help some of the players have a feel on the course.
No Kenyan has ever won the tournament, but Charania believes this is the year to write history by breaking the jinx. The closest a Kenyan came to winning the title was in 1998 when Golf Park’s resident professional Jacob Okello tied with Argentine Ricardo Gonzalez after the last round and narrowly lost on a sudden death play-off.
This year, a prize money of Ksh22million (195, 000 Euros) is up for grabs event which is also part of the European Challenge Golf Tour and a total of 150 professional players from all over the world will be battling for a share. Six local amateur players will also be in action during the 72 hole competition but they will not be eligible for the prize money.
Tournament director Patrick Obath, said: “Changing the venue showcases the diversity of Kenya’s ability to host world-class golfing championships.
“The tournament is sure to be both challenging and competitive, and the golfers will have to adapt, making for truly enjoyable golf.” maillot de foot maillot de foot

Kenya Golf Union (KGU) Chairman Alfred Kariuki (right) with Limuru Country Club Chairman Yassin Awale at a past function.

By DONALD WELLINGTON (Writer)

Kenya Golf Union (KGU) has introduced new rules for the 2013 Golfer Of The Year series which tee off with the Sigona Bowl at the Sigona Golf Club on January 18 and 19.

According to a statement from KGU, to qualify as a Golfer Of The Year, a player shall have played a minimum of 10 GOTY events during the year which shall include at least one 54 hole event outside the region where his handicap is maintained.

The statement noted that to qualify to play in the 2014 Kenya Open a player shall apart from playing at least one 54-hole event outside the region where his handicap is maintained, should also be the Kenyan winner of the 2013 Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship, the winner of the Kenya Amateur Open, the best amateur at the 2013 Kenya Open, subject to making the cut and the top amateur in the 2013 golfer of the year rating.

Selection to the national golf team will be based on a KGU procedure available at all clubs and GOTY points will count to the selection.

“You will notice that the Union has changed the points award system to be more inclusive. All club captains should inform all your players as well as publishing it on your website and notice boards,” said Francis Okwara, the Kenya Golf Union Vice Chairman and Tournament Director.

He added: “KGU will award bonus points as follows; 0.5 points for participation and playing all the rounds at a Goty event, 1 bonus point for any round played under par gross, 3 bonus points for aggregate under par round for a 36-hole Goty event, 5 bonus points for aggregate under par for 54 holes Goty events and 7 bonus points for aggregate under par for a 72 holes Goty event.”

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