Standard County golf Classic heads to Royal Club

Jane Wanjau at the green during Standard Group County Golf Classic at Vet Lab Sports Club, Kabete, on Sunday 6, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

The 11th leg of the 2016 Standard County Golf Classic series heads to the par 72 Royal Nairobi Golf Club tomorrow.

The event has attracted over 200 players from other towns including Nairobi and its environs. All will be chasing glory in the leg that is expected to be tough, going by the quality of players who have registered.

Some of the high-ranking players, who will be on the fairways tomorrow, include Q. Bhatti, Bo Ciera, B. Handa, K.Bollo, R.Chebukati, J.Njau and M.Cox.

The players are well known for their long-hitting prowess and will definitely fight for the longest drive prizes.

Club captain Charles Omondi said he is glad the series is making a comeback at the club, which is among the oldest courses in the country.

"The course is currently playing very well, thanks to the current rains. Given that this is going to be the last major tournament this year, we intend to make it enjoyable to all golfers," said Omondi.

"We shall spice up the course to give the players a true feeling of the "Royal" challenge - I am sure the golfers, who participated in last weekends' Uhuru Shield tournament can attest to this," Omondi explained.

Omondi said the course setup will vary depending on the weather and could play tough or easy.

While cautioning golfers to be wary of some challenging holes Omondi noted;

"Without scaring any novice golfer, we have a few exciting holes ( 1, 8, 9, 11, 16 and 18), mainly due to either their length or the hazards that golfers try to avoid, but still end up in them anyway!"

He said the roughs are currently long and thick, which will make the holes more difficult to play in.

"The good news is that our greens are fantastic, as long as one is able to land safely with a few strokes to spare."

He said he is sure players will enjoy themselves and for those, who fail to win any prize, they will get an opportunity to enjoy the ambience of the new five-star Club House at the venue.

The 10th leg of the 2016 Standard County Golf Classic series was held at the par 72 Vet Lab Sports Club in Kabete on November 8 and was won by Kenya Airways pilot Edward Harun Mwangi, who garnered 41 points.