Kenya Golf Union chairman Alfred Kariuki putts during the launch of the Barclays Golf Circuit at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club today.

By FIDEL ONO (Writer)

Leading financial services provider Barclays Bank of Kenya has today launched a golf series dubbed Barclays Golf Circuit. The series is aimed at supporting the development of the game of golf in Kenya, as well as act as a build up towards the 2013 Barclays Kenya Open.

The Golf Circuit will tee off Saturday with its first round to be held at the Nyali Golf and Country Club. A total of 13 rounds have been lined up for the series which will feature 25 golf clubs countrywide.

Over 2,400 golfers are expected to participate in the series and it is also open to junior golfers with official CONGU handicaps.

Speaking at the launch event, Barclays Acting Head of Consumer Banking Edgar Kalya said: “Golfing has always been at the heart of Barclays Bank of Kenya. The launch of the Barclays Golf Circuit is a further demonstration of our support for the game, while at the same time reinforces our commitment to communities we operate in both socially and economically through such avenues”.

Mr. Kalya also presented a cheque of Ksh300, 000 to the Kenya Golf Union (KGU), to go towards supporting the development of Junior Golf in Kenya. He further added that the circuit is an excellent opportunity for golfers to not only support worthy causes, but likewise provides them with opportunities to compete and network with their industry peers.

He noted that the circuit provides the Golfers a chance to enter the circuit’s grand finale at Karen Golf Club on 2^nd February 2013, where the top 20 winners at the finale will get slots to play in the Barclays Kenya Open Pro Am 2013.

The pro-am is a dream for any amateur Golfer where they get an opportunity to play with mainly top European professionals that grace the Barclays Kenya Open.  Courtesy of Barclays Hospitality, they will also all get season tickets and VIP guest passes to the Barclays Hospitality Tent at the 2013 Barclays Kenya Open.

In addition, Mr Kalya added: “In conjunction with Kenya Golf Union and participating Clubs, Barclays will also raise resources throughout the circuit that will go towards supporting charitable initiatives that enhance the livelihoods of communities through financial literacy, enterprise skills and life skills”.

The hosting clubs include; Nyali Golf Club, Eldoret Club, Vet Lab Sports Club, Nyeri Club, Nyanza Club, Railways Club, Kiambu Club, Royal Nairobi Club, Sigona Golf Club, Windsor Golf & Country Club, Muthaiga Golf Club, Karen Country Club, and Limuru Country Club. maillots foot maillots foot

RETURN WITH TROPHY: National Golf team captain David Opati (left) receives the national flag from Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba ahead of the team’s participation at the East Africa Challenge in Burundi.

By FIDEL ONO (Writer)

Golf Park’s David Opati will captain the national golf team to this year’s East Africa Challenge Trophy to be held at the Bujumbura Golf Club between November 7 and 9 in Burundi.

Kenya Golf Union (KGU) chairman Alfred Kariuki unveiled the team yesterday when they also received the national flag from Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba at the Ministry of Sports offices.

The team comprises of Opati who currently plays off handicap +3, Vet Lab’s duo of Nelson Simwa (+1) and Mathew Omondi (+1), Railway’s John Wangai (+2), Sigona’s Kush Mediratta (8) and Nyali’s Daniel Nduva, Mathew Wahome, Adel Balala and Abraham Abdullahi.

“The team is the best we could come up with and we are confident they will successfully defend the title in Burundi. We tried to mix the team to have junior players integrate with the senior players as we plan to recruit more juniors to the national team gradually for them to replace the likes of Opati in near future,” said Kariuki.

The team won the title last year in Arusha and will be seeking to retain it when they take the course in Bujumbura. The team to be coached by Charles Farrar is expected to leave the country on Monday, have a practice session on the same day and Tuesday before going into action on Wednesday.

The format at the tournament will be matchplay. huarache soldes huarache soldes