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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.

New Kenya Unified Handicapping and Course rating Committee Chairman

The Kenya Golf Union Executive is happy to inform you of the appointment of David Ndung’u as Chairman of the Kenya Unified Handicapping and Course Rating Committee (KUHC).  He takes over from Vincent Wang’ombe who has served as the Chairman of the committee for since 2015.  He is a holder of Level 3 certification on Rules of Golf. He has also played a very important role in the implementation of the World Handicap System.  KUHC guides and oversees the technical matters of the game of golf; handicapping, course rating, Rules of Golf seminarCaptains and Golf administrator’s symposiums among others.  

Mr. Ndung’u has distinguished himself in the knowledge and understanding of the Rules of Golf and has served as a trainer in various Rules of Golf 

New office bearers

The Kenya Golf Union Annual Meeting was held on 28th May 2021 at Muthaiga Golf Club. The meeting was attended by over 90 delegates and the following officials were elected;

Peter Kiguru Chairman

George Gathu Vice Chairman

Philip Ochola Hon. Secretary

Njani Ndiritu Treasurer

Chris Kinuthia Executive

Chris Muchugu Executive

Collins Ojiambo Executive

David Ndung’u Executive

Karugu Macharia Executive

Fr. Peter Kimani Executive

Looking forward to a fruitful golfing year

25th May 2021

Golf Protocols

Golf competitions will only be allowed under strict adherence of the
guidelines below;
Medical Examination
 All golf clubs Must ensure that they conduct temperature screening and any person displaying high temperature must not be allowed into the premises. Any persons attending with any suspected COVID-19 symptoms should be handled as prescribed in the Ministry of Health guidelines.
 Golf clubs are encouraged to arrange for COVID-19 testing for their golfers, members of staff and Caddies.
 All teams (Players and support teams) representing the Country must undergo testing and will have to submit a vaccination confirmation.
 Maintain a daily record of people entering the premises. This will assist the Ministry of Health in contact tracing in the event that there is need to do so.


Club events and local tournaments
 Encourage use of the HowDidIDo application for booking and for those that don’t, must be registered on arrival at the club.
 Ensure to communicate to your members on the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health. Signs and messages that create awareness on combating the spread of COVID-19 should be posted at highly visible stations, entrances, exits and notice boards.
 All members of staff must have their face masks on while working.
 Golf clubs are encouraged to conduct their prize presentation outdoors and/or using online platforms to avoid congregation at the club house
 Spectators will not be allowed.
 Golf clubs Must ensure handwashing facilities and alcohol-based hand sanitizers are readily available for all.
 Identify and appoint COVID-19 Champions who will be responsible for responses on venue preparedness and related actions.
 Ensure to clean and disinfect the frequently touched surfaces such as handrails, gates, and toilet doors.
 Golf clubs are encouraged to link themselves to a nearby health facility for ease of referral in case of emergency.
 All golfers are discouraged from using the changing rooms. Sauna and steam rooms are not permitted.
 Golf clubs should identify a safe place in their premises for isolation of an individual should they become unwell.
 Golfers Must observe proper personal hygiene; handshakes, high-fives & hugging are not allowed.
 Maintain a safe club environment by applying a documented cleaning regime

Training
 Golf clubs must limit the number of golfers using the practice facilities on the golf premises to avoid congregation.
 Coaches must maintain a minimum number of trainees per session.
 Each trainee Must carry their own equipment.
 Ensure that practice equipment is disinfected before, during and after the sessions.
 Retain records of golfers attending the training.

International Events.
 The Kenya Golf Union will send team(s) for international event(s) only after consideration of the COVID -19 safety protocols put in place by the host country.
 All participants will be vaccinated and the coaches will keep the records of all the documents.
 During training camps, KGU shall organize for health checks. Testing will be conducted before participants enter the camp and there will be subsequent daily checks.
 When hosting, KGU will ensure to conform to the MOH’s guidelines on the Sports Bubble Protocol.
The Union will ensure there is provision for medical services i.e. medical practitioners and well manned and equipped ambulances.

Following a notice sent out on 7th May 2021, the Kenya Golf Union will hold its Annual General Meeting on 28th March 2021 at Muthaiga Golf Club.

AGENDA

1. To approve the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 21st August 2020
2. To receive the Chairman’s Report.
3. To receive the Honorary Treasurer Report and Statement of Accounts and to consider and decide on any action to be taken on the financial affairs of the Union.
4. To elect office bearers and members of the Executive Committee for the following year,
   namely:
   a) Chairman
   b) Vice Chairman
   c) Honorary Secretary
   d) Honorary Treasurer
   e) Six members to serve on the Executive Committee
   The following have been duly nominated:
5. -Peter Kiguru Chairman Nominated by Sigona Golf Club
   – George Gathu Vice-Chairman Nominated by Kenya Airforce
   – Njani Ndiritu Hon. Treasurer Nominated by Vet Lab Sports Club
   – Philip Ochola Hon. Secretary Nominated by Muthaiga Golf Club
   EXECUTIVES -Chris Kinuthia Nominated by Thika Sports Club, Chris Muchugu Nominated by Njoro Country Club, Collins Ojiambo Nominated by Karen Country Club, David Ndungu Nominated by Limuru Golf and Country Club, Joe Kehara Nominated by Kenya Railway Golf Club, Karugu Macharia Nominated by Windsor Golf and Country Club, Martin Nyaga Nominated by Kiambu Golf Club, Peter Kimani Nominated by Ruiru Sports Club, Taufiq Balala Nominated by Nyali Golf and Country Club.
6. To consider and decide upon any special business of which notice has been circulated under article 10.5

The Kenya Golf Union will be hosting the Level 1 Rules School on 25th June 2021 via Zoom.

The Kenya Golf Union which is mandated to promote and advance the game of golf in the country has seen it fit to ensure that all golfers have the knowledge of the rules of golf and has over the years carried out this trainings.

Level 1 training equips a golfer with knowledge of the most commonly occurring Rules and this helps them enjoy the games, enables one to navigate around the course more easily, and might even save one precious stroke or two every now and then.

Registration for the training is on going.

The Junior Golf Foundation received a cheque of Ksh 1,022,000 from Prime Bank Limited.

The bank’s golf manager Jesse Mungai disclosed on Friday that the funds are drawn from proceeds raised from their joint visa card with JGF and Kenya Golf Union (KGU). The Visa card initiative was launched in 2015 and JGF has so far received 5.5 Million shillings.