All eyes on KCB road to Karen Masters show

Golfers are sharpening their sticks for slots battle in the new 2018 KCB road to Masters series that begins on Saturday at the par 72 Ruiru Sports Club.

This is a five-leg series where apart from an array of prizes to the winners, only six of the confirmed 280 players will earn a slot to the Pro-Am of the upcoming second edition.

Those who will be picked to play in the KCB Karen Masters Pro-Am will be the overall winner, men’s winner, staff winner, ladies’ winner, KCB customer guest and one wildcard holder.

Golfers to watch out for include the club’s single handicappers Ben Omondi (Hc-2) and handicap 7 Frank Munyua, who are expected to take advantage of the home course.

Ladies expected to call shots include the club’s Lady captain Veronica Mwaura (Hc-27) and club mates handicap 27 Mary Muthoni and handicap 19 Irene Wamoro.

KCB’s Human Resource Director Paul Russo, Chief Finance Officer Lawrence Kimathi and Finance Director Samuel Munyua are among 20 players battling for the staff prize.

Club captain Peter Mwaura yesterday said the course was playing relatively well and the fairways were in lush green condition following the ongoing rains. “The greens are also in excellent condition and the first, second and 13th greens have been redone to improve the competitiveness of the course. Several marshals have also been increased to ensure all is fine,” said Mr Mwaura.

The series will also be held in Limuru, Eldoret, Muthaiga and Mombasa before the annual KCB Karen Masters, which will be played from July 19-22.

The tournament is expected to bring in some Sunshine tour professional golfers from different countries and will give the Kenya’s professionals a second chance after their failed outing in the Kenya Open that was won by Italian professional Giagli Lorenzo.

Sunshine Tour Executive Director Selwyn Nathan said they were excited about the tournament, now in its second year.

Kenya Commercial Bank are the title sponsors with a $150,000 (Sh15 million) deal.

KCB Marketing and Communication Director Angeline Mwirigi said the tournament remains their most visible vehicle to share the greatness of the sport. “The tournament is on course to becoming the pre-eminent professional competition in East Africa, and we expect a thrilling competition that will hopefully provide massive excitement for the fans.”

Meanwhile, some Ladies European Tour players are forced to take part-time jobs because “it’s pretty much impossible” to make a living otherwise, said Melissa Reid.

The LET has 14 scheduled events this year - a situation Reid, who joined the Tour in 2008, calls “heartbreaking”. “The LET needs help and quickly,” said the 30-year-old Englishwoman, adding: “I’ve encouraged players to support offers we get in because it’s all good fighting a cause, but there’s not going to be a Tour to play on soon.”

The LPGA Tour in the United States was reported to be keen to help the LET but the offer was not accepted and that avenue is now closed. “A lot of my friends, who have been on Tour for 12 years, have had to get part-time jobs. This is affecting the “standard of golf”.