KGU Chairman Alfred Kariuki (L) at a past function.

By CORRESPONDENT

The Kenya Golf Union has reconstituted Golf Talent Foundation (GTF). The main objective is 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 golf fraternity in Kenya and in particular from member clubs of the Kenya Golf Union is now reconstituted with new trustees.

The new team of trustees has affirmed that they will do their best to ensure they live up to the GTF mandate. The team consists of Karen’s Ashwin Puja, Immediate Past Captain of Vet Lab David Kihara, Royal’s Peter Serem, Limuru’s Fr. Dominic Wamugunda and Bill Okwirry from Muthaiga.

The trustees are in agreement that in Kenya there is untapped potential of young men and women who if nurtured can become great golfers. It is also imperative for GTF to demystify the notion that the game of golf is only for elite group in the society, this can be attributed to the fact that in recent year’s players from underprivileged background have managed to lead in the prestigious GOTY award, which is hotly contested by leading golf amateurs in Kenya.

GTF has also nurtured talented golfers from humble background to become some of leading golf professionals in the country.

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Kenya Open Golf Limited chairman Peter Kanyago (centre) address the press during the function today.

By CORRESPONDENT

Coca-Cola, through its bottled water brand Dasani became the Platinum sponsor of this year’s Barclays Kenya Open Golf tournament with a Sh8.4 million sponsorship. Dasani becomes the second-tier lead sponsor of the annual golf championship which attracts players from all over the world.

Coca-Cola’s General Manager for East Africa, Peter Njonjo presented the sponsorship cheque to the Kenya Open Golf Limited chairman Peter Kanyago at Karen Club where the revamped tournament will be held from 14^th-17^th February.

The announcement comes of the back of the last week’s commitment by Coca-Cola to sponsor the Easter Weekend Tanahill Shield Golf tournament at the Royal Golf Club to a tune of Sh3 million.  The company has also been sponsoring the Dasani Golf Series for the past 3 years. Through Dasani, Coca-Cola remains one of the unrivalled supporters of golf in Kenya. In light of this background, and with this significant increase towards supporting the Barclays Kenya Open 2013, this positions Dasani as the biggest water sponsor on the local golf scene – reinforcing its status as a globally renowned and trusted brand.

“Through Dasani, we continue to take pride in our association with this prestigious tournament with a high global appeal. We are ecstatic to come on board as the Platinum Sponsor of the Barclays Kenya Open with the hope of not only refreshing the players and spectators during the pro-am and main events but also delivering this growing sport to the many lovers of Golf,” said Njonjo adding that the decision to up the sponsorship from Sh3 million last year was a reflection of the growing stature of the tournament and its value to Dasani as a leading water brand.

The Barclays Kenya Open is part of the European Golf Tour with a high level of visibility globally. Several local and international players will be gunning for the top prizes and a chance to play in the European PGA.

Having grown in magnitude and stature, the Barclays Kenya Open will again host 2 pro-am events this year, to give the local amateurs more opportunities to play with the international and local pros. These will be played concurrently at Muthaiga golf club and the hosting club Karen Golf Club. The Pro-Am (Professional & Amateurs) is a one day tournament held the day before the Kenya Open Championship and marks the “official” start of the championship.  It offers an opportunity for Kenyan amateur golfers to play with professionals on their own turf. The format of play involves a 3-ball of one Professional and 2 Amateurs. In line with Dasani’s continued commitment to supporting golf, Dasani will sponsor one of these 2 Pro-ams at the home of golf – Muthaiga Golf Club – on Wednesday, February 13. golden goose golden goose