Pros back for Sh1m hunt at Diani Masters

Bhavi Shah follows the flight of her drive from the first tee during the Ladies Coast Open at the Mombasa Golf Club. Shah is one of two women professionals in action at tthe 2017 Diani Beach Masters. PHOTO | FILE |

What you need to know:

  • Two women pro players among those in the draw at Leisure Lodge Golf and Beach Resort.
  • At least 45 pro players drawn for today’s opening round in battle for ‘green jacket’

The hunt for the “Green Jacket’’ in this year’s Diani Beach Masters starts in earnest on Wednesday with professional players making a comeback to the tournament after a decade out.

At least 45 professionals were drawn for Wednesday’s first round which tees off the campaign for the “Green Jacket” plus cash prizes in the Sh1 million tournament.

Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) chairman Charan Thethy said although he was still hoping for more pros to list up their names, the draw had to be done on Monday evening.

“I believe 45 pros, who first time include two female pros, Bhavi Shah, now based in Mombasa, and Uganda’s Flavia Namakula, is a good number,” he said.

TANZANIANS ENTER FRAY

On the list, Tanzania has entered seven players who include Hassan Kadion, who previously won the tournament, but as an amateur.

Other Tanzanian players who will be lining up for the jacket include the long-hitting Nuru Molllel and Fadhili Nkya while from Uganda, besides former Uganda ladies amateur champion Namakula, will be Philip Kasozi.

Leading the local pros will be Dismas Indiza, Richard Ainley, Anil Shah, Greg Snow, Njuguna Ngugi, Kopan Timbe, Nelson Mudanyi, his big brother Boniface Simwa, Nicholas Rokoine and former Kenya Amateur champion Sujan Shah - who has been playing in the Middle East’s Mena Tour.

The pros are playing 72 holes and will be joined by the amateurs during the final two rounds on Friday and Saturday.

The pros are featuring in this year’s tournament courtesy of Prime Bank who are the main sponsors.

The Diani Beach Masters started way back in 1998 and later became one of the then Golfer Of The Year (Goty) events, though for a short while. Leisure Lodge Golf and Beach Resort decided to return its original format of Pro-Am.

The par 72 course, which has one of the most unique layout coupled with a number of water features, is reported to be in great condition and ready for the event which is one of the two major golfing events taking place at the Coast in addition to the Kenya Open Amateur Championship, the country’s only 72-hole strokeplay event set for Nyali Golf and Country Club, Mombasa.

The latter has also attracted top amateur golfers from the East Africa region.

DRAW

2017 Diani Beach Masters: First Round and second round draw: First Tee: 8.30 E. Kasuku, Abdul Sihag, M. Omondi; 8.38 B. Kosgey, R. Ainley, N. Rokoine; 8.46 J. Okello, J. Mollel (Tz), J. Kubwa; 8.54 A. Shah, J. Madoya, C. J. Wangai; 9.02 D. Wakhu, K. Omuli, Ajay Shah; 9.10 E. Ooko, Sujan Shah, B. Njoroge, 9.18 P. Thuo, D. Indiza, N. Mollel (Tz); 9.26, G. Giddie, Lodrick (Tz), S. Ngige; Tenth Tee; 

8.30 H. Kadio (Tz), N. Njuguna, N. Simwa; 8.38 H. Kutwa, J. Kisia, F. Chitengwa (Tz); 8.46 J. W. Karanja, F. Namakula, E. Lembris (Tz); 8.54 B. Shah, J. Leonce (Tz), J. Davis; 9.02 C. Thethy, B. Simwa, N. Mudanyi; 9.10 G. Snow, F. Matilo, S. Muthugia; 9.18 K. Timbe, R. Kasozi (Ug), F. Nkya (Tz).