Rono determined to defend Golf Park Open title

Golf
By Mose Sammy | Oct 30, 2025
The Golf Park Open defending champion, Josphat Rono, practices ahead at the The Golf Park range, October 28, 2025. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

The stage is all set for a thrilling showdown as the fourth edition of The Golf Park Open tees off tomorrow at the nine-hole, tight links-style course at The Golf Park, Ngong Racecourse.

With a prize fund of Sh500,000 on offer, a strong pack of both foreign and local contenders is ready to defend their turf against visiting players in what is anticipated to be a fiercely competitive weekend.

The weekend-long tournament begins amidst a busy calendar for local golf, with some top players involved elsewhere.

South African Matthew Mortimer, from the Royal Johannesburg Golf Club (RJGC), playing off handicap +4.6, will be hunting for World Amateur Golf Ranking WAGR points in Ngong. Although he had a disastrous outing at this year’s Sigona Matchplay, where he missed the cut, he will be one of those to watch out for.  

Recent rains have left the course in immaculate condition, creating an environment that vice captain Newton Ongalo believes will foster “shooting in red numbers” (low scores). The course’s defining feature – its short, tightly linked layout – remains the primary challenge.

Defending champion Josphat Rono, will be seeking to retain his title.

Share this story
Defending champions Ivory Coast overcome early shock to finish top of AFCON Group F
Ivory Coast produced a dramatic late comeback to finish top of Group F at the 2025 AFCON, coming from two goals down to beat Gabon 3-2 in Marrakesh
Ex-boxing champ Joshua discharged from hospital after fatal car crash
Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital, state officials said, after surviving a car accident in Nigeria that killed two of his close friends.
Sudan lose to Burkina Faso as Algeria win again at Cup of Nations
Sudan must face 2022 champions Senegal in the last 16 of the 2025 AFCON after losing 2-0 to Burkina Faso in their final group game, while Algeria beat Equatorial Guinea 3-1
Senegal top AFCON group, DR Congo to face Algeria in last 16
Senegal saw off Benin to go through to the last 16 of the AFCON 2025 as winners of Group D, leaving the DR Congo to settle for second, which means they will play Algeria
Original All-Stars lift a record third HMCC title
Original All-Stars FC solidified their status as Harold Mbati Champions Cup (HMCC) legends by clinching their third title, following a dramatic 3–2 victory over Kima United in the 2025 grand finale.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS