Tannahill Shield: Defending champs Royal Nairobi Golf Club out for fourth consecutive title
Golf
By
Ochieng Oyugi
| Aug 06, 2021
Royal Nairobi Golf Club (RNGC) players are confident to defend the 97th edition of Tannahill Shield Golf Tournament that teed off at their backyard on Friday.
The three-time consecutive champions have a strong squad of ten hard hitters including four juniors who are combing the greens and fairways for glory.
"We are out to give our best despite the worthy opponents who have registered. We did lots of practices after the lockdown, we are ready for this championship," Team Manager Charan Thethy told Standard Sports.
Thethy believes the squad that has been sharpening their skills at the venue twice a week in the last two months will ultimately retain the trophy which has been the pride of the oldest golf course in the country.
"We have done countless puttings, we have hit countless balls on the range to perfect our craft," team captain Joseah Kogo said.
"Off the pitch, we have been attending gym sessions, stretches and team building to gel as a team," Kogo added.
The side has also enlisted the services of a sports pyschologist to help them mental toughness, focus and balance body pressure.
Wambugu Ikinu, Njogu Kungu and Joshua Ichangi are arguably some of the youngsters to watch in the raring squad.
Other lethal team members are Jay Sadhu, Jatinder Thethy (vice captain), Abner Onsomu, Kevin Juma, Qurram Bhatti and Rachit Patel.
Held since 1924, last year was the first time the tournament did not take place since World War II due to ongoing covid pandemic.
The Tannahill Shield is regarded as one of the biggest amateur golf events in Sub Saharan Africa and brings together the best amateur players from golf clubs in Kenya to compete for the coveted honors.
The participating teams this year are Muthaiga Golf Club, Karen Country Club, Sigona Golf Club, Limuru Country Club, Railway Golf Club, Western Kenya, Mombasa Team, Vet Lab Sports Club, and the hosts and defending champions, Royal Nairobi Golf Club.
The Tannahill Shield is the world's only three-person foursomes’ match play tournament. The foursomes is a golf competition style in which two golfers join a team and alternate hitting the same ball, sometimes known as the "alternate shot" format.