Kenya's squad for Victoria Cup named
Golf
By
Robert Amalemba
| Jul 27, 2022
Kenya has named a 10-man team for the 2022 Victoria Cup Golf tournament which tees off at the Limuru Golf and Country Club tomorrow.
The tournament returns after a two-year absence following the Covid-19 pandemic.
It's an event between Kenya and Uganda with each country represented by a team of 10 players.
The Kenya Golf Union (KGU) came up with the squad from 17 players who have been in a two-week camp.
The selected team that has been training under coach John van Liefland includes Adel Balala (Nyali), Andrew Wahome (Nyali), Christopher Andrea (Ruiru), Daniel Kiragu (Muthaiga), Dennis Maara (Limuru), Ebill Omollo (Vet Lab), John Lejirma (Railways), Michael Karanga (Kiambu), Njoroge Kibugu (Muthaiga) and Sammy Mulama (Golf Park).
Kenya and Uganda will be renewing their king of the course superiority rivalry after the recently concluded Zone IV Golf Championship held at the Lake Victoria Serena Golf resort and Spa course in Kigo, Uganda.
Kenya won the zone IV championship for the first time since Uganda's back-to-back victories in 2018 at Vet Lab in Kenya and in 2019 at Bujumbura.
KGU chairman Njani Nderitu said the Union was happy with the team.
"We are happy to stage the event once again this year, something we were not able to do in 2020 and 2021 due to the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 Pandemic," Nderitu said.
Team captain Dennis Maara said the team was fully prepared and that they intend to get the trophy back.
Since its inauguration in 2016 Kenya has won the event three times and in 2019, Uganda won the event at Entebbe Golf Club.
Meanwhile, Vipingo-based Kenya Golfer Naomi Wafula missed the lead by a single stroke to Tanzanian Neema Olomi during the first leg of the 2022 ladies Coast open Golf tournament played at the par 71 Leisure Lodge Beach and Golf Resort Club in Kwale County on Monday.
Playing off handicap 4 Olomi from Lugalo Golf club carded a total of a four over par 76 gross to emerge the overall gross winner and claim the 2022 Leisure Cup trophy.
Kenya's Wafula was only a stroke behind the leader after producing a five over par 77 gross to claim the gross runners up slot.
This is an annual ladies festival organized by the Kenya Ladies Golf Union that brings together an estimated 150 lady golfers from across the country and the region with valid handicaps.
Handicap 1 Chanelle Wangari from Muthaiga and Agnes Nyakio of Great Rift Valley tied for the third slot after completing the 18 holes on a six over par 78 gross each.