June 2022

100TH EDITION OF THE KENYA AMATEUR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP TO BE HELD AT ROYAL NAIROBI GOLF FROM 16TH – 19TH JUNE 2022

Royal Nairobi Golf Club has the privilege of hosting the 100th Edition of the Kenya Amateur Match Play Championship. The only major match play event in the country will take place from 16th to 19th June 2022.

The Kenya Amateur Match Play Championship is a five-round knockout tournament, has attracted a total of 84 players boasting handicap index of 10.8 and better. The winner of this year’s event will get an automatic slot to play in the 2023 Magical Kenya Open. The Magical Kenya Open is a DP Tour event and is held annually where top amateurs are invited to participate.

All eyes will be on defending champion John Lejirma who clinched the title last year after a tight contest. Other players to watch will be 2021 Golfer of the Year Series Leader Adel Balala of Nyali Golf and Country Club, Junior Golfer Njoroge Kibugu of Muthaiga Golf Club, Dennis Maara of Limuru Country Club and Jay Sandhu from Royal Nairobi Golf Club. Past winners of the Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship have gone on to be some of Kenya leading professional golfers and they include: Greg Snow, G Giddie, N Rokoine and Brian Njoroge.

This year, the event has attracted eight entries from Uganda -Bagalana Ibrahim, Andrew Ssekibejja, Joseph Kasoozi , Collins Bulafu, Alunga Michael, Cwinyaai Joseph , Asaba Denis, Andrew Ssekibejja, Nsubuga Godfrey , Jay Nathwani from Tanzania and Hailay Gebrekidan from Ethiopia . ‘ This will be a very interesting tournament considering we have to top players from the three courtries ’. Said Mr. Ochola the KGU Vice Chairman/ Tournament director.

The Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship, organized by Kenya Golf Union (KGU), is one of the oldest and most prestigious match play events in Kenya. The event has hosted by various golf clubs in the country on a rotational basis. Players participating in this event are ranked Locally and also in the world rankings by the Royal Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in England.

We wish all the players the best as they prepare for this event ‘ added Mr. Ochola.

NJANI NDIRITU IS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE KENYA GOLF UNION

Vet Lab Sports Club’s Njani Ndiritu has been elected the new chairman of the Kenya Golf Union after garnering 49 votes against his close challenger George Gathu who polled 40 votes during the Union’s Annual General Meeting held at Muthaiga Golf Club, Nairobi.

The polls were supervised by past Chairmen Lucas Marang’a and Francis Okwara where we had 89 delegates casting their vote. Philip Ochola was elected unopposed as the new Vice Chairperson while Karugu Macharia was voted in as Union’s Treasurer.

David Ndung’u from Limuru Country Club was elected as the new Hon. Secretary after pipping Collins Ojiambo during the exercise.

The Six executive committee slots were clinched by Chris Kinuthia from Thika Sports Club, Frank Wambua from Golf Park Golf Club, Ndiga Kithae from Thika Green Golf Resort, Sammy Itemere from Royal Nairobi Golf Club, Taufiq Balala from Nyali Golf &Country Club and Thomas Mwaura from Ruiru Sports Club.

During his acceptance speech Njani Ndiritu, congratulated the outgoing chairman for a job well done during his tenure. He further reiterated that one of the objectives for the year 2022/2023 is to concentrate on the elite squad from the Junior ranks for junior golf is indeed the future of golf’.

‘Together with the new team, we will develop structures to help support upcountry clubs as well strengthen the relationship with the Government. We will also deepen our financial discipline going forward’. Added Mr. Njani Ndiritu.