Nakuru hosts Nation Classic series

Kiambu Golf Club's Joyce Wanjiru of Red Team tees off from the 18th hole during the Eileen Belcher Trophy tournament on April 15, 2018 at Muthaiga Golf Club. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • The one-day event, open to golfers from Nakuru, Njoro, Nyahururu, Gilgil and Naivasha, has attracted a field of 147 who will be battling it out for a list of prizes.

The first leg in the 2018 Nation Media Group sponsored Nation Classic series, is on this weekend at the par 73 Nakuru Golf Club course.

The one-day event, open to golfers from Nakuru, Njoro, Nyahururu, Gilgil and Naivasha, has attracted a field of 147 who will be battling it out for a list of prizes.

But besides the locals and those from the other Central Rift clubs, the Nation Media Group which has been staging the Classic since 1985, has invited a number of guests from various clubs in Nairobi and elsewhere in the country.

The guests include Kenya Golf Union (KGU) chairman Richard Wanjalla, Paul Russo and Azu Ogolla of Railway Golf Club, and Royal Nairobi’s Tony Tugee.

Being at home, players like Njuguna Njoka, John Kamais, Gentral Esto, Paul Aweyo and lady golfers Esther Karuga, Shiro Kaime, and Halima Mwende, are expected to play well .

With the on-going rains, the hilly Nakuru course below the Menengai Hills, is likely to favour the single figure handicap golfers.

As part of its commitment in enhancing literacy in the country, NMG will distribute text books to Flower Orphans Children Centre in Naivasha on Friday.

And while the golfers will be battling it out, the Nation Media Group FC will be taking on Nakuru Wazee FC at Afraha Stadium from 12 noon.

JOHNIE WALKER EVENT IN THIKA

Meanwhile, a huge field of over 250 players is all set to tackle the par 72 Thika Sports Club this weekend in the sixth leg of this year’s East African Breweries’s Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve golf series.

Coming back to back after the fifth leg held at Royal Nairobi, this weekend’s tournament brings together players from a number of clubs including a strong contingent from Royal. Those from Royal include some of the club’s leading amateurs such as Bo Ciera, Joseah Kogo, Abner Onsomu, and Paul Ichangi - who represented Royal during the Tannahill Shield.

The locals going for the overall title include Peter Rimui, Edwin Kiarie and Ndiga Kithae, while also in action will be rugby personalities including Mwamba RFC chairman George Mbaye, former international and Kenya Sevens team manager Newton Ongalo, Lavin Asego, and Humphrey Kayange.

LADIES IN KIAMBU

Kiambu Golf Club will this weekend stage the annual Kiambu Ladies Open Invitation.

It is open to all lady golfers from Kenya, with men playing in subsidiary category and teeing off in the afternoon. The format of the game will be medal and has two categories:

Silver Category for Handicap 1–20 and Bronze Category for Handicap 21–36. The winners are categorised into four categories which are gross silver winners, gross bronze winners, net silver winners and net bronze winners.

Leading the home challenge will be Joyce Wanjiru, in addition to other leading lady golfers such as Wanjiru Karume and lady captain Grace Kibe.

The visiting players will include the KLGU chairman Lucy Muhinga and other KLGU councillors.