Former national team captain Robinson Owiti will be seeking a back to back win at this year’s Manchester Salver tournament, the 16th leg of Kenya Amateur Golf Championships to be staged at par 71, Eldoret golf club.
The two time winner will be joined by other top amateur golfers in search of points in the two day event courtesy of Mediheal Group of Hospitals.
Golfers will be playing 54 hole in the two day event, starting with 36 holes on the opening day (Saturday 4th) before rounding off with 18 holes on Sunday.
Owiti won last year’s event, to redeem is win he did in 2006 and wants to add another win as he seeks a hat trick come next year.
The Vetlab golfer said that as the defending champion, he has to return the trophy to be competed upon but assured that he will not leave the trophy slip off his hands.
“I have what it needs to defend my title. I have to defend this year, add another one next year and keep the trophy for good. That is my target,” said Owiti who has accumulated 138.4 points.
But current series leader Edwin Mudanyi also from Vet lab was confident of joining the big boys to next year’s Kenya Open at Muthaiga as he wants to become the overall title currently held by Kenneth Bollo of Royal golf club.
After garnering 371.5 points leads Limuru’s John Karichu who has garnered 367.5 points and third placed Mike Kisia (Vetlab) with 339.8 points from sixteen legs so far.
Mudanyi who finished 7th at last weekend’s Kenya Amateur Strokeplay at par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club said he is has been training well ahead of the Mediheal Group of Hospitals sponsored tournament.
“Eldoret is a fine course where one needs to be mentally strong to withstand its challenge. As far as my game is concerned, am ready to head to Eldoret looking forward to a great weekend,” said Mudanyi.
Handicap +1 golfer is training under club’s professional golfer Mathew Omondi. With Omondi, he is sure of doing well.
“Am currently practicing under coach Omondi (Mathew) because I have been struggling to hold to a lead couple of times this season but with Omondi’s help, am gaining confidence mentally because that is where I have been losing,” added Mudanyi.
Club captain Moses Tanui was confident that the two day tournament, which is a Kenya Golf Union (KGU) event will be a success.
With too much rainfall that poured last week, the former marathoner turned golfer Tanui said the course flooded but now it is in good position.
“As a club, we are ready for the championships. As a national event, it needs good environment which we are working on to ensure quality play,” said Tanui.