Golfers head to Muthaiga for Kenya Open Championships

By OSCAR PILIPILI

There is good news golfers. It is that time of the year when best talents from around the world converge at Muthaiga Golf Club to showcase their might and skills in the Barclays Bank Kenya Open Championships.

It happens to be good news for the corporate world because Kenya Open offers the business community great opportunity to market their products before the masses known to attend the event.

The Barclays Kenya Open Championships, that tees off on March 28 with Pro-Am, has attracted 156 players, the organisers Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) have announced.

From Africa, there will be 38 players, out of which Kenya will have 20 professional golfers and six selected amateurs to battle it out with some of the best players from Africa and beyond.

With two weeks remaining, it is all systems go for the Kenya Open, as the organisers put the final touches to all aspects of the annual competition.

Great success

Peter Kanyago, chairman KOGL said: "We are looking forward to the Barclays Kenya Open once again and are grateful to the institutions which have so far come on board to support the tournament. Their support will go a long way in making this event a great success."

Kanyago said the Barclays Kenya Open "is yet another confirmation of KOGL commitment to putting together a world-class tournament that will be a showcase of international golfing standards."

Worthy winners

The Kenya Open joined the Challenge Tour programme 22 years ago and since then, the tournament has produced numerous noteworthy play from some worthy winners.

The tournament director Patrick Obath Kenya Open still holds pride of place in the Challenge Tour.

"The facilities and golf course are in excellent condition, and a casual observation of the course will reveal improved tees, fairways, greens conditions and other features on the course, making it a challenging but nonetheless an enjoyable course," said Obath.

Twelve months ago, Michiel Bothma received the trophy from President Mwai Kibaki and a winner’s cheque for Sh3.9 million, which moved him to the top of the Challenge Tour Rankings.

Expected to play this year is the defending champion Michiel Bothma, the exciting US Amateur Peter Uhlien, who has just turned professional.

This year’s prize money for the championship is 190,000 Euros, raised from many local corporate sponsors.

The sponsors this year include Barclays Bank, Britak, Kenya Tourism Board, Kenya Power and Lighting Company, Kenya Airports Authority, Kenya Airways, Mumias Sugar, and Dasani among others

The hole-in-one sponsorship has once again been taken by Toyota, with a Toyota Prado on offer for the first professional player to hole out in one at the 13th hole.