Dismas Indiza hopes sun will shine on him
What you need to know:
- A new golf set, courtesy of Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, may be the answer for Kenya’s longest hitter, and probably the top contender in this year’s Barclays Kenya Open at Muthaiga Club, this week.
- Dismas Indiza, who has never missed the Open cut from 2014, and whose best finishing in the Open has been a 10th position, says he has been trying his new set which he says may help play well this year.
- However, he says lack of top events has been the major problem for Kenyan players.
A new golf set, courtesy of Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, may be the answer for Kenya’s longest hitter, and probably the top contender in this year’s Barclays Kenya Open at Muthaiga Club, this week.
Dismas Indiza, who has never missed the Open cut from 2014, and whose best finishing in the Open has been a 10th position, says he has been trying his new set which he says may help play well this year.
However, he says lack of top events has been the major problem for Kenyan players.
“Since the 2016 Open at Karen, we have not had many events save for Uganda Open late last year,” he says.
“This is not very good because we are playing against players who played over 28 events last year.”
Indiza says his participation in the Sunshine Tour in South Africa a few years back made him improve his game.
“I got a good sponsorship then from Mumias Sugar and travelling outside was not a big problem.
“Playing in South Africa makes one improve as you play against golfers who have been in the big tours in Europe,” adds Indiza, who started his career, first as a caddie at Nandi Bears Club in Nandi County where his two brothers — Abraham Maichi and John Anyonyi — are still playing amateur golf.
He is one of the most experienced Kenyan pro in this year’s Barclays Kenya Open at Muthaiga.
A crowd puller, Indiza first played in the Open in 1997 as an amateur.
He only missed the cut in 2013.
“We have always had the problem of taking the pressure from the crowds.”
He said the Muthaiga course is a tough one particularly from holes number one to seven and then 12 to 14 at the back nine.
“If one can hold on over those holes without dropping shots then it is possible for one to win or at least make the top five in the Open.”
Born on December 8, 1968, just a few yards away from the Nandi Bears Club where his father worked, Indiza says Kenya has good young professionals capable of winning the Open, but they need to maintain high level of discipline.
“Golf requires one to have focus and self discipline,” says Indiza, who represented Kenya in international events as an amateur from 1995 to 1997.
Currently attached to the Mumias Golf Club, Indiza says he will return to the Sunshine Tour, if he gets sponsorship.
