Kenya: Open Set to Feature 26 Locals Aces This Year

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Muigai Kiguru

17 March 2011

There will be 26 local players in the Barclays Kenya Open golf championship at Muthaiga Golf Club between March 30 and April 3. Kenya Open Golf Limited chairman Sam Ndegwa said the team of locals will include six amateurs who will feature in the ProAm on March 30. Apart from the Kenyan contingent, 80 more players will be pooled from overseas including 50 from African countries.

The Kenya players will be led by Vet Lab’s Ali Kimani who pulled off a surprise last year by taking an overnight lead on day two of the competition.

This year’s tournament has seen national carrier Kenya Airways come on board by offering subsidised air fares to golfers taking part in the tournament from around the world including Mombasa and Kisumu based local players.

Nita Nagi, the Kenya Airways area manager said the company has offered Sh2.2million which will also help in flying in Professional Golf Association officials to the event.”As the official airline of the Barclays Kenya Open, KQ will have special fares to the participants and organisers from across the world flying in for the tournament,” Nagi said.

The championship will come hot on the heals of the Kenya Airways Golf Safari that heads into a grand finale at Muthaiga on March 26 where over 200 players are expected. The Kenya Open forms part of the PGA European Tour Challenge and will be entering its 43rd edition this year.

AllAfrica – All the Time