By Correspondent
Sigona’s Ganeev Giddie is back in the country to defend his Kenya Amateur Match-Play Championship trophy.
The event, one of only two national championships and part of the Kenya Data Networks Golfer of the Year Series (Goty), is played over four days in a knock out format.
Giddie, currently on a golf scholarship in Texas, USA, flew back last week to participate in the Sigona Club Championship and the Amateur Match-Play Championship at Royal Club.
He beat college-mate and close friend Muthaiga’s Greg Snow in last year’s Match-play finals at the Sigona Golf Club last year.
The 36-hole epic between the two friends ended three and two in favour of Giddie, earning him an automatic slot to this year’s Tusker Kenya Open.
Giddie, seeded first at this year’s championship has a first round bye meaning he will not be in action today and is likely to meet Anthony Muhoro in round two tomorrow morning.
Worthy opponent
His first challenge may be in the form of Sunny Mangat, a worthy opponent on his Karen turf any day, in the quarter-finals on Saturday morning.
Mangat on his part will have to contend with the likes of Samuel Kahindi, Yassin Awale, Lee Njoroge and Robinson Owiti before booking a date with Giddie.
Muthaiga’s Snow is also back in the country for the championship, a crown that has eluded him in the course of his illustrious amateur career.
He finished tops in the 2007 Goty series and finished second, behind Francis Kimani last year. Snow tees off today at 1.15pm against Eldoret’s John Hodari (handicap six) in what should be a walk in the park.
Veteran golfer
Meanwhile, Muthaiga’s Stefan Andersen, also back in the country from his base in Pretoria, is seeded third and will be in action at 1.15pm against the long-hitting SM Otieno from Limuru.
Otieno, who plays off handicap six, will start the duel as an under-dog. Royal’s Hesbon Kutwa is scheduled to meet Andersen in round three. Clive Davies, a veteran Karen based golfer, will also be playing in the same draw as Thika’s Sullivan Muthugia and Muthaiga’s Jetinder Chawla.
The winner of the Match-Play will win an automatic slot to the 2010 Kenya Open.
