ON WINNING WAYS: David Opati is feted for winning the Kenya Matchplay Championships last week at the Thika Sports Club, he was also crowned Tanzania Open winner on Sunday.

By ENOCK NGOME

Kenya’s David Opati carried his local form to international duty when he managed to resist a strong challenge to walk away with this year’s Tanzania Open Strokeplay Championship after ending the final round on five under par 283 (70, 68, 72, 73).

He beat his nearest challenger, Tanzania’s John Leonce by four shots as the tournament ended at the Arusha Gymkhana on Sunday. Leonce that put up a brave fight managed one under par 287 (74, 69, 73, 71).

Meanwhile, Nuru Mollel of Tanzania had initially tied with Opatti for a cumulative six under par totals 138 at the end of the second round of the Open championship.

The scratch handicapper Mollel had his stars shinning right from the opening round played on Thursday when he returned a scintillating four under par 68 to open a two-shot gap over Opatti.

Opatti and Mollel were the only competitors who managed to return under par scores on the opening round.

However, Mollel slightly staggered in the second round when he carded two under par 70 while Opatti impressed with a four under par total 68.

Another Tanzanian was John Leonce whose three under par total 69 lifted him to stay just behind the leading duo on one over par 143 totals.

Leonce, who was sixth placed after the opening round with a score of two over par 74, eventually finished second. nike air max günstig nike air max günstig

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By ENOCK NGOME

The third event in the Tusker Malt Golf Carnival calendar tees off over the weekend at the 9-hole par-73 Njoro Country Club.

The close to 100 golfers expected to participate have been drawn from host Njoro, Nakuru, Nyahururu, Gilgil, Great Rift and Naivasha.

Club Captain Peter Minjire confirms the course is in perfect condition for the Saturday tournament. “The persisting rains have ensured the course is replenished. However, the greens will be running fast and challenging too,” says Minjire.

The morning tee off has been scheduled for 8am with the afternoon tee off expected to start slightly before 1pm to end after 5pm. “We do not anticipate rains during the day and therefore the games will not be interrupted, “says Minijire.

Saturdays draw has well able golfers and it may not come as a surprise to have less known golfers steal the show. However, according to Captain Minjire  the top contenders to watch in this round include the team of Fr. Augustine Kipkemei playing off handicap 19 and Fr. Peter Gitonga. Another outstanding pair that has shown prowess in past tournaments include team of Njoro Champion Alfred Nandwa of handicap 0 and Charles Angwenyi of handicap 20.

Njoro Country Club is known for its wide fairways and numerous bunkers which Minjire says might be challenging for golfers.  “Golfers need to bring their best game on Saturday. The challenge is what makes playing at Njoro exciting!, “adds Minjire. “We feel honored to host EABL and golfers can expect an exciting tournament,” says Minjire.

The Tusker Malt Golf Carnival was launched in September and has so far been to Kenya Railways Golf Club and Machakos.  It is scheduled to take place at 11 other golf course in Kenya before moving to Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda in 2012. Over 10, 000 golfers are expected to participate in the tournaments that will take place in 30 golf courses across East Africa. This year’s carnival features the international format of play, the Four Ball Better Ball that encourages participation in pairs aimed at increasing teamwork while improving amateur golfing in Kenya.

Kiambu Golf Club will host the fourth leg on November 19 as part of the regional tour aimed at increasing the spirit of friendship and bonding, the key brand values of Tusker Malt.

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