Indiza, Abuto out of Kenya Open tourney

By James Waindi

Veteran professional Dismas Indiza and Royal’s Ken Abuto have been ruled out this year’s Kenya Open Golf Championships slated for March 25-29 at the Muthaiga Golf Club.

The two were involved in a road accident in South Africa while taking part in the Telkom PGA Championship at the Country Club in Johannesburg, South Africa.

"Indiza and Abuto are certainly out of this year’s Kenya Open. They were involved in a serious road accident in Johannesburg in a taxi and they may take some time to recover," said the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) chairman Elisha Kasuku.

Kasuku said they were on their way to their hotel rooms after playing at the Johannesburg Country Club, before the taxi they had boarded was crushed at a notorious junction, with the other car hitting the side where Indiza was seated.

"They were both treated in Johannesburg before being airlifted to Kenya for further treatment. Indiza was in Intensive Care Unit at the Marter Hospital but he improved and was taken to a ward yesterday (Sunday).

He suffered serious chest injuries, cuts on the head and three fractured ribs, while Abuto also has cuts on his head, but is in stable condition at the Coptic Hospital," said Kasuku.

Kasuku said missing the two for the Kenya Open is a blow to PGK who intend to field 22 local professionals for the 42nd edition of the event with plans of having many locals make the cut and win the title.

"Last year we performed poorly at the Kenya Open since only two golfers out of 18 made the cut. We plan to field 22 this year and hope that we will have more players making the cut ," Kasuku said.

In 2006, Indiza made a late charge and finished the event fourth overall at the Karen Golf and Country Club.