Top amateur golfers will be searching for Magical Kenya Open when they tee off today (Wednesday) at the 30th edition Kenya Amateur Stroke-play championships at the par 72 Royal Nairobi Golf.
After deaf golfer Isaac Makokha qualifying at the Kenya Match Play three weeks ago, the winner of Strok-play will also join him at the presigeious golf championships to be played at Karen Golf club in March.
Nandi Bears golf club chairman Kimeli Kenduiwo and Eldoret’s long hitter Aron Kitur will be leading North Rift based golfers for the tournament.
The immediate Nandi golf club captain, will be traveling to Nairobi alongside club captain Simon Chepkwony, Noah Korir, Elly Barno and Nelson Koech in the 72 hole battle starting from Wednesday 21st October 2020 to Saturday 24th October 2020.
playing handicap 6, Kenduiwo said the quartet, Korir handicap 7, Barno (4) and Koech 4 have been training on their home club as well as playing in some organized tournaments to sharpen their skills.
“I know the tournament will be very competitive but we are doing our best to secure better results on the course,” said Kenduiwo, the long hitting player.
Speaking after playing at the Sungu Logistics golf tournament on Saturday in Kakamega, Kenduiwo said the event as part of his training for the 72 hole event is the second Kenya Golf Union (KGU) event where the winner qualifies for a slot for the 2021 Magical Kenya Open.
Apart from Kenya Open qualifiers, the event also counts for the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
“My swing is good and I expect better results when I travel to Royal. With such initiatives, they sharpen one’s skills to better their swing and putting,” added Kenduiwo.
Back in Kakamega, Kenduiwo fired 29 stableford points while Korir garnered 24, Barno 27, Koech 26 and Chepkwony 32 in a tournament won by home player Gregory Ombito on 38 stable ford points.
He will be facing off with home player Jay Sandhu who is currently on great form after finishing second during the Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship at Vet Lab Sports Club after losing to host player Isaac Makokha.
“We expect that Jay will put up a good show with his many years of experience and local knowledge of the course” Said Mr. Kiguru the Tournaments Director of the Kenya Golf Union.Other notables include the two juniors who made the cut during the Just concluded Safari Tour leg at Royal Nairobi Golf Club; Mutahi Kibugu and Adel Balala.The event has so far attracted over 80 golfers from all over the country. There will be a subsidiary event for Royal Members on Saturday 24th October.