GOLF UNION RELEASES CALENDAR: Kenya Stroke Play Championship returns to Nyali after 13 years

SPORTS-GOLF-KELLI MULLI; Kelli Mulli makes a swing at Nyali Golf and Country Club Course in Mombasa on Wednesday,04th January,2017.PHOTO BY MAARUFU MOHAMED/STANDARD

Kenya Golf Union has released its calendar of events for the year, giving Nyali Golf Club a second chance to host the Kenya Amateur Stroke Play Championship after a break of 13 years.

Union Chairman Muchau Githiaka stated that the 72-hole event returns to the par-71 Nyali course in Mombasa and will be a three-day event to be played on October 20-22.

According to the calendar, Nyali will be the second club to host the championship after Karen Country Club in Nairobi in June-July.

The dates are yet to be confirmed.

The championship was last held at Nyali in 2004 and won by the current Muthaiga Club home professional Kopan Timbe.

Nyali Club Captain Kelli Mulli expressed excitement and thanked the union for the opportunity.

He assured the amateurs that the course was in excellent condition and ready for any championships - whether amateur or professional.

The championship will be one of the series in the 2017 Kenya Amateur Championship Golf series calendar (KAGC), formerly Golfer of the Year (Goty). It will be open to all amateur golfers with recognised handicaps of 9 and under.

Proof of handicaps is mandatory.

The statement said in order for one to be declared the champion of the KAGC, a player must have the highest aggregate ranking points from the KAGC events for the particular year.

He should also have played a minimum of 10 events during the year, which must include at least one 54-hole event outside the region where his handicap is maintained.

 

RANKING SYSTEM

A new ranking system has also been introduced from this year and a circular to that effect has been distributed by the union to all golf clubs in the country affiliated to the union.

“We hope all golfers will read the new circular and get acquainted with the new system of awarding points,” said Githiaka.

Royal Nairobi’s Kenneth Bollo is the defending champion of the title after it closed its 19th series at Nyali last December.

This year’s championship, which has increased to 23 events, kicks off on January 14-15.

Golfers will be battling it out for the 54-hole Sigona Bowl at the par-71 Sigona Club course located in Kikuyu.