Defending champion Murumba upbeat ahead of Hackers Golf tourney

Defending Champion Evans Murumba follows his swing drive to the second greens at Seafront Mombasa Golf Club in Mombasa County during a recent event.[Maarufu Mohamed,Standard].

Coast Golfer Evans Murunga is confident of retaining the 2023 Hackers Union Golf Tournament to be played at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club Course in Mombasa County this Saturday.

Murumba who won the tournament last year said that he was aware the competition has attracted a huge number of golfers and will not be leaving anything to chance.

“Obviously trusting in God for my health, stability, and mind in solidifying my win and am totally prepared to defend the trophy to ensure I keep it for another term, “said Murrumba.

He pointed out that he has engaged a few Golf professionals and have been on the course repeatedly and obviously at the range to ensure the spice is aligned to a definite win and nothing left to chance.

This will be the 5^th Hackers Golf tournament regarded as the most coveted Golf tournament south of the Sahara and the North of the Limpopo and by yesterday according to Club registration book, an estimated 175 golfers had already booked for a slot to participate.

Hackers Union Chairman Tony Wanyama explained that Hackers is an amorphous group of golfers that started at the club but with diverse members from the Coast who have fun while playing golf.

“For as long as you never make it to have a slot to play big tournaments like the Kenya open, the group introduced their own tournament, "the annual hackers golf tournament" which runs every year in the Nyali Golf club golf calendar. Their Slogan is ‘you shall never hack alone’,”said Wanyama.

He pointed out that consistently the Hackers' membership are the title sponsors and hosts to the tournament, with a lot of corporate sponsors mostly companies owned by the members and friends of the hackers.

“Last year they saw major sponsors with Rentco and HOP as the major sponsors with the tournament that had unprecedented numbers from a participation of more than 230 golfers who battled the Mombasa heat and wind to brace the course.

Wanyama noted that normally for amateur golfers aspiring and striving to play better golf, the results are always not guaranteed with the majority always missing the fairways, and playing the treacherous course which has a lot of wind.

“In this year's tournament which has already confirmed title sponsors with numerous and exciting prizes to be won, the hackers have over 10 sponsored holes, with a nearest to the PIN for all the par 3 holes no. 3,6,10,15 and 18 courtesy of Contech owned by Naem Pasta, one of the hackers, “said Wanyama.

The Chairman disclosed that among other sponsors supporting the hackers this year are EABL, Vipingo Industries, Coast Cables, Lucozade, Original Assets, Tudor Healthcare and DalaDala water.

He said there is also a Car to be won courtesy of Khushi Motors for whoever gets lucky to get a hole in one on the 18th hole where there will also be two sponsored holes for the longest drive competition sponsored by Dankiz, Andy Golf and Coast Cables.

He pointed out that the tourney is one of the most fun events that keeps most guests entertained as it features the Putting competition which has many interesting prizes that will be on hole number 18.

Wanyama said the funds collected normally go to a good cause and to promote inclusivity, the hackers will provide caddies with a meal during the tournament and take away mostly food as a token of appreciation.

He also said that the hackers are in the coming year planning to host the ‘dik dik’ group from Dubai as they explore more ways of making Golf and the tournament more fun and interesting.

“We hope to partner with one of the leading airlines to make the golf tour a reality and fun for its members and for sure it’s going to be International with some of the members who have relocated to other countries organizing golf tournaments with members of hackers,”said Wanyama.

Club Captain Dinesh Sasan said they are happy and privileged to host the tourney and assured  the organizers that all preparations were in top gear including the course that is currently in its pristine condition.