David Opati poses for a photo after he won the Coast Open early this year.

By FIDEL ONO (Writer)

International player David Opati, plans to carry local form to this year’s East Africa Challenge Trophy in Burundi after he won the Manchester Salver event at the Eldoret Golf Club on Saturday.

Opati who was under pressure after having a lackluster performance in the last Golfer Of The Year tournament, the Karen Amateur Strokeplay Championship, recovered to comfortable win the Manchester Salver event, the second event in the Goty series that he has won this year. The first one he won was the Coast Open.

The Golf Park player, managed four under gross in the two day event, scoring 67 and 71 on both days to consolidate his position at the top of the table of standings with only two events to, the Uhuru Shield and the Nyali Open.

He was in high spirits ahead of the national team’s departure to Bujumbura where he will be captaining Kenya as they seek to retain the regional trophy that they won in Arusha last year.

“I currently playing very well and my team mates are also enjoying the golf of their lives , so the best thing to do is just to carry our local form to Bujumbura and we will easily retain the regional trophy. We still remain the team to beat in this region,” said Opati who currently plays off handicap +3.

The team comprising of Opati, 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 was expected to leave the country on Monday morning. maillot de foot pas cher maillot de foot pas cher

David Opati of Golf Park hands over the green jacket to Stephen Omondi who won this year’s Diani Beach Masters at Leisure Lodge. Opati will be in action at the Manchester Salver tournament tomorrow and Saturday.

By DISMAS ONYANGO (Writer)

Golfer of the year (GOTY) series leader David Opati plans to bounce back at the Manchester Salver competition after having a disappointing outing at the Karen Amateur Strokeplay Championships a fortnight ago.

The competition which is part of the Goty series will be held tomorrow and Saturday at the par 70 18 hole Eldoret Golf Club.

Pressure will certainly be on the Golf Park player as he currently enjoys a slim 10 point lead over second placed Nelson Simwa of Vet Lab, but he insists that he normally plays well under pressure.

At one point he had threatened to run away with the title after he opened a 23 point gap, but has seen the lead slashed and with two more events to go, he cannot afford any slip ups at the Salver event or second placed Simwa will have the last laugh.

“I only need a top two finish in the remaining events to clinch the Goty title. I really don’t have to win, but I cannot afford to finish out of the top two positions to be safe. I have only won event this year, the Coast Open and I am still at the helm, so I really don’t have to win, but first or second position is my priority in Eldoret,” said Opati who currently plays off handicap +3.

The event would also act as a warm up for the national team players who will be defending their East Africa Challenge Trophy in Bujumbura, Burundi next week.

National team players who will be in action are Opati who is the captain, Simwa, Vet Lab’s Mathew Omondi and Railway’s James Wangai. The national team is expected to leave the country on Monday. golden goose pas cher golden goose pas cher