Philip Shiharsy will be returning into action this weekend at the Coronation Trophy, the Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) series at the par 73 Nakuru golf club.
The three day tournament that tees off on Friday to Sunday, Kitale’s top golfer will be joined by six foreign golfers plus a host of elite amateurs in the chase for points ahead of Kenya One title.
“I am done with preparations to travel to Nakuru for the tournament. Right now, I am fit enough and this will be my first tournament after losing my dad and I was not training at all,” said Shiharsy.
After playing on his home club, the Trans Nzoia Open, finishing in position 11 with +12 231 in a tournament won by National captain John Lejirma with -10 209, Shiharsy said that he is ready to face off with ‘boys’ on the Nakuru Course.
“This will be my second meeting after the Trans Nzoia Open. I like playing at home after losing my dad and I returned to training. I expect to perform well at the meeting,” he said.
The Nakuru tournament has also attracted six foreigners led by Rwandese international Felix Dusabe who lost to Lejirma at the Ronald Marshall at the play off finals in Njoro two weeks ago.
Coming from Kigali golf club, Dusabe will tee off at 8:40am alongside Kenyans John Michael of Kiambu and Vet Lab’s Krish Shah is accompanied by country mate Ndindabahizi Didas who will be at the tee box at 7:50am with Ugandan Andrew Ssekibejja of Serena Club and James Kimani from Vet Lab.
Ssekibejja travelled from Uganda with Ibrahim Bagalana and Joseph Cwinyaai. Bagalana from Uganda Golf club will be at the tee box at 11:10am playing with Kenya Railways’ Lejirma and Vet lab’s Tom Chirchir. Cwinyaai, also from Uganda Golf club, will start his match at 11:30am alongside Mercy Nyanchama from Njoro and Diana Mbuba of Kenya Railways.
Other foreigners include Mitansh Thacker from India, who will play at 8:50 with Solomon Majanga and Javan Kiumu.
However, the elite amateurs will have to handle defending champion Michael Karanga who will also be in contention to defend his title.
The Kiambu golfer who has been out of the country playing in various tournaments will be returning to the local meetings in search of maiden victory this season after Lejirma and Elvis Muigua taking charge of the tournaments.
Karanga fired -7 214to be crowned the champion beating Ebill Omollo to second at 227 and Dennis Maara (Limuru) for third at 227