Golf: Indiza leads 19 pros to Kenya Open at Muthaiga
Golf
By
Maarufu Mohamed
| Mar 19, 2018
Nineteen local professional golfers have confirmed participation in this year’s 2018 Barclays Kenya Open golf championships that begin on Thursday at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Course.
Long-hitting Dismas Indiza from Mumias club, Windsor's Riz Charania and Thika’s Simon Ngige are among top professional golfers preparing for the event.
These form part of the 22 Kenyan players that the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) submitted to the Kenya Open Limited.
Kenya Open Limited tournament Director, Patrick Obath said PGK carried out their qualification rounds and submitted the names.
He said the contingent of the Kenyan professionals is selected by the PGK through their own criteria before forwarding their names.
“So far, the PGK has submitted 19 names and I expect another three soon,” said Obath.
Indiza, Ngige, and Charania qualified for the Kenya Open after making the cut at the 2017 tournament.
The other 16 were selected through a series of qualification events organised by PGK in the last three months.
Those confirmed are Golf Park’s Tom Omuli, David Wakhu, Jacob Okello, Greg Snow, Nicholas Rokoine, Kopan Timbe and Frank Matilo all from Muthaiga.
Other are Sigona’s John Wangai, Vet Lab’s Brian Njoroge, Nelson Simwa, Golf Park’s Matthew Omondi, Nyali’s Njuguna Ngugi, Railways’ Alfred Nandwa, Els Club’s Stefan Andersen, Royal’s Erick Obura and Great Rift’s Justus Madoya.
The remaining three slots will be submitted after PGK’s pre-qualification round today at Vet Lab Sports Club.
Other than the pros, four Kenyan amateur players have been selected to play at the Kenya Open, with two others invited from Uganda and Tanzania.
The four Kenyans are Vet Lab’s Edwin Mudanyi, Muthaiga’s Bhavnish Chandaria, Royal’s Dennis Saikwa and Nyali’s Daniel Nduva, while Tanzanian Victor Joseph and Ugandan Ronald Rugumayo complete the local amateurs list.
Indiza, who made his Kenya Open debut in 1996 at the Muthaiga Golf Club and whose best score came in 2008 when he finished 10th with a gross score of 5-under 279, will be a favourite in this year’s tournament.
This is the 50 edition of the championships that begins on Thursday and end Sunday at the Muthaiga course.
[Maarufu Mohamed]