Why Muthaiga Club will continue to dominate Tannahill golf event

Muthaiga Golf Club players were in a class of their own as they dominated the 97th edition of Tannahill Shield Golf Tournament at par 72 Royal Golf Club in Nairobi at the weekend.

The champions dominated the three-day competition from start to finish, widening their margin each day to the gong.

This clean sweep has left many golf pundits worried as some now believe the 115-year-old contest (some editions were missed due to corona, world wars etc) might be for Muthaiga to lose in the next years.

Leon Kiptum, a golf expert who shuttles between Royal and Nakuru golf clubs, says the only way for other teams to contain the dominant Muthaiga is for them to develop their junior talents and offer the youngsters a working support system.

Dominant Muthaiga

“Muthaiga started to nurture their young players; Njoroge Kibugu, Taimur Malik, Daniel Kiragu way back in 2017 and the effort has started to pay off,” Kiptum said.

The father of two who plays off handicap 18 has advised other clubs to reconsider the age gaps while fielding players for the annual tournament played on foursome strokeplay format.

“How can you expect to win with golfers who have featured in the event since 2005 and playing off handicap +7?

“Muthaiga’s average age is 35 and 70 per cent of their players are youths off handicap +1,” Kiptum said.

Kiptum, who doubles as Chipper Cash Kenya Country Director, says there’s need for clubs to move away from the ages when the competition was purely played by old men who were opinion leaders of the golf clubs they represented.

“It’s high time the clubs revolutionised Tannahill by bringing in more young and new talents to hunt glory for them,” he said.

Kiptum’s sentiments were echoed by Royal pro golfer Ken Bolo who believes Muthaiga will dominate Tannahill for the next seven years if other clubs will not improve.

“As Royal, we have resolved to groom three youngsters; Calvin Opati, Kimani Gicheru and Rayan Mutinda, to contain Muthaiga next season,” Bolo said.