The annual Kenya Open golf tournament will for the first time played behind closed doors to minimize the spread of coronavirus disease.
The tournament, which was postponed to November 12 to 15 at the par 72 Karen Country Club course was to be held in March 12th to 15th.
Kenya Open tournament director Patrick Obath confirmed that the Kenya Open just like the rest of the European Tour events, will be a closed event.
“I can confirm that it will be a closed event with no public. The Magical Kenya Open being a European Tour event, is similar to the events being held in the United Kingdom and the USA,’’ said Obath.
In the current events being played in the USA and Europe, only the media, and scorers and other staff but no spectators are allowed. Obath said the organizing committee plans to have caddies available during the Kenya Open, but those will be caddies who will have been cleared by the Covid-19 protocols that have been jointly agreed by the European Tour and the Ministry of Health.
A total of 144 players including 12 local and regional players as well as six amateurs will take part.
The 12 pros include nine Kenyans, one each from Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Uganda while the six amateurs namely Samuel Njoroge (Railway), Paul Muchangi(Limuru), Daniel Nduva(Nyali), Mutahi Kibugu, and Taimur Malik (Muthaiga) and Victor Joseph from Tanzania.
The regional players will be Andrew Oche Odoh of Nigeria, Robson Chinhoi of Zimbabwe and Uganda’s Philip Kasozi. Leading the locals, will be the long hitting Dismas Indiza, Simon Ngige, Greg Snow, Erick Ooko, David Wakhu, John Wangai, Riz Charania, Justus Madoya, and Kopan Timbe.
Source: Daily Nation