MONEY MATTERS: Peter Kanyago, KOGL chairman (right) recives a cheque of Sh1million from Britak's Marketing and Corporate Affairs Director Muthoga Ngera.

By CYNTHIA OMBATI

With two weeks to go, it is all systems go for this year’s Barclays Kenya Open, as the organizers put final touches ahead of the tournament set to tee off on March 29th – 1st April at the Muthaiga Golf Club.

The Kenya Open golf championship joined the Challenge Tour Schedule 22 years ago, since when the tournament has produced numerous noteworthy play from some worthy winners. The event is expected to bring together around 156 players to Kenya over the 4 days, to a world-class tournament that will be a showcase of international golfing standards.

The four-day event kicks off on March 28th with the Pro-Am, attracting approximately 156 players. From within Africa there will be 38 players who are on a sponsor’s invitation. They are from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda and South Africa. Within this number, Kenya will have 20 Professional golfers as well as 6 selected Amateurs who will battle it out with some of the best players from the continent and beyond.

Twelve months ago Michiel Bothma received the trophy from President Mwai Kibaki and a winner’s cheque for €30,400, which moved him to the top of the Challenge Tour Rankings and gave him every chance of claiming a European Tour card for the first time.

Barclays Kenya Open draws players and spectators from around the region and has had the privilege of showcasing the skills of famous players in years past. Expected to play this year is the defending champion Michiel Bothma, the exciting US Amateur Peter Uhlien, who has just turned pro. Peter is the past World Amateur Number one and participated in the Masters and the Open in 2011.

This year’s prize money for the championship is 190,000 Euros, raised from many local corporate sponsors. The success of Barclays Kenya Open would not be achieved without the support received from the large local base of corporate sponsors.

The sponsors this year include Title sponsor Barclays Bank, others who are Britak, Kenya Tourism Board, Kenya Power & Lighting Company, Kenya Airports Authority, Mumias Sugar, and Dasani, to name afew.

The hole-in-one sponsorship has once again been taken by Toyota, with a Toyota Prado being on offer for the first professional player to hole out in 1 at the 13th hole.

The “longest drive” competition will be held on Friday 30th March, sponsored by Barclays Bank, and the “Charity Shoot out” on Saturday 31st March, sponsored once again by SDV Transami.

Kenya Airways continues to be the official carrier for the championship, and other service providers include G4S for security and cash handling. catalogo de pandora catalogo de pandora

GET IN: Kiambu's ladiy Captain June Waweru follows her putt on the 18th green during the weekend tournament..

By CYNTHIA OMBATI
An eagle at hole 10 propelled home player Alvin Gakele to a famous victory in the sixteenth leg of the 2011/2012 Safaricom Business Golf Challenge played at the nine hole Kiambu Sports Club at the weekend.
Alvin playing off handicap 24 posted an impressive 42 stable ford points to reign supreme in the day long competition that had attracted more than 130 golfers.
The win secures him a ticket to the tournament’s Grand Finals to be held at Vipingo Ridge, Mombasa on April 28.
Despite staying away from the course for one year and still enjoying his high handicap, Alvin who returned to the Course three months ago managed to maintain his initial Handicap often but has now chopped to 20.
“I played an easy beautiful game, always staying on the fairways, chipping well and my putting was fantastic. I am now looking forward to playing in the grand finals in Vipingo Ridge and who knows I might as well return magnificent score,” he said on receiving his sponsored ticket to the Finale from Safaricom Business Development Manager, Romuald Maina.
He embarked on the outward nine with a bogey followed by a par on the second, bogey on the third before sinking a birdie on the downhill par three hole four.
He then pared the fifth, dropped a short each on the sixth and seventh, before recovering with a birdie on the eight and an easy par on the ninth to record 21 points.
At the inward nine, he fired an eagle three and followed it with consecutive pars on the thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth and a short dropped on eighteenth for a total 22 points.
Thomas Kimari followed closely with a tie of 42 points but defeated on count back by Alvin.
Kimari playing off handicap 19 posted two birdies to combine 23 and 19 points in each nine to also book a ticket to the Grand Finale.
Home club Stephen Karanja playing off handicap 3 sunk two birdies to collect 41 points and secure the third position.
Purit Mwangi playing off 28 finished fourth while long hitter and also the club’s Vice Chairman Dr.Paul Murumba was fifth.
Leonard Wachira took home the guest prize, while the longest Drive men’s prize went to John Ngure and Catherine Ngurani took the longest drive ladies prize.
Nearest to pin went to John Machua on 9.5 win while Alex Mwangi won the junior prize.
In the caddie’s competition, Lawrence Ngige playing off 2 was unbeatable after posting 40 points.
The seventeenth edition and the last one before the grand finale will be staged in Royal Golf Club on the 17th March 2012.Close to 200 golfers are expected to battle it out for the Grand finale slot at the venue. michael kors outlet michael kors outlet