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NJANI NDIRITU IS THE NEW CHAIRMAN

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.

DAVID NDUNG’U IS THE NEW KUHC CHAIRMAN

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 

2021/2022 KENYA GOLF UNION EXECUTIVES

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

Protocols for resumption of golf tournaments

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.

KENYA GOLF UNION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

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

Rules School Level 1 Training – 25th June 2021

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.

Resumption of Caddies

GOLF IN KENYA UNDER COVID-19 GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS


This is a follow up to our letter of 1* May 202t. We have, in consultation with the Ministry of Health, reviewed the use of caddie services as an integral part of the game of golf and in the spirit of allowing the
caddies a livelihood .

Golfers who wish to use the services of caddies on the golf course will therefore be allowed to resume, but on the following conditions:

  1. All Clubs are encouraged to arrange for the testing of the caddies for COVID-1-9
  2. All Clubs must provide hand sanitizers at the starters huts for use by both the players and the
    caddies
  3. All players must provide their caddies with a little bottle of hand sanitizer for continuous use during
    the round
  4. Caddies will be allowed the use golf trollies, and must not carry golf bags on their person
    Kindly abide by the rules set by the Union and the Ministry of Sports

Junior Golf Foundation Receives Development cash from Prime Bank

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.

KGU LAUNCHED THE WORLD HANDICAPPING SYSTEM – 28TH JAN 2021

The new World Handicapping System will replace six existing handicap systems including CONGU. WHS aims to encourage more people to take up the game and enable golfers of differing abilities, gender and nationalities to compete on a fair basis anywhere in the World.

Under this new system all golfers will be given a new decimal handicap called a Handicap Index which will be changed into a Course Handicap depending on the Slope Rating of course and set of tees one is playing.

The Slope Rating is a measure of the difficulty of the course from a particular set of tees for a higher handicap (or bogey) player compared to a scratch player. Each set of tees on every golf course will be allocated a Slope Rating for men and women.

New golfers can get a WHS Handicap Index through returning three 18-hole cards. These can be six 9-hole cards, or a combination of 9 and 18-hole cards. The maximum Handicap Index for both men and women will be 54 and your Handicap Index will be valid anywhere in the world. Once you have a Handicap Index you will only lose it if you are no longer a member of a golf club. New golfers will get a WHS Handicap Index through returning three 18-hole cards. These can be six 9-hole cards, or a combination of 9 and 18-hole cards. The maximum Handicap Index for both men and women will be 54 and your Handicap Index will be valid anywhere in the world. Once you have a Handicap Index you will only lose it if you are no longer a member of a golf club.

Individual scores over 9 or 18 holes, returned in competition or friendly golf (general play is the term used under WHS) will count for handicap purposes. Rounds must be played by the Rules of Golf and in the company of a marker. Matchplay, foursomes or fourball scores cannot be used for handicap.

The WHS computer system has mechanisms to take into account playing conditions on the day and to guard against major fluctuations in your Handicap Index. You will be able to access information on your Handicap Index through your mobile phone and it will be every player’s responsibility to play off the correct handicap.

The Handicap Committee of your home club has the power to adjust your initial Handicap Index if it is not a true reflection of your ability. The Handicap Committee may also adjust or freeze your Handicap Index at any time to ensure that all players are treated fairly and consistently

FROM CONGU TO WHS FOR THE REGULAR GOLFER

All Kenya clubs will submit the CONGU handicap records of all their members to the centralised system up until the transition date. The best eight scores of the last 20 scores on your handicap record will be used to calculate your WHS Handicap Index.  Your Handicap Index will be the simple average (to one decimal place) of those eight scores. Under the CONGU system, you have a decimal handicap; under the new system you will have a Handicap Index.

So, if for example the best eight scores of your last 20 scores are:

16, 18, 13, 14, 19, 15, 16, 14 = 125; 125/8 = 15.6 = Handicap Index (HI). You do not need to do any calculations manually or have a record for your scores – it will all be done for you.

Under the CONGU system the difficulty of a course was measured by the Standard Scratch Score (SSS) – the score expected from a scratch player. The SSS will now have a new name: Course Rating.  Under WHS the difficulty of the course is be based on what is expected from the “average” or “bogey” golfer compared to the scratch golfer and this is called the Slope Rating.  Your Handicap Index will be changed to a Course Handicap and it may go up or down depending on the difficulty of the course you play as measured by the Slope Rating.

Each set of tees on each course will have a slope rating for men and women. The table below gives an example of a course with three sets of tees of varying lengths. Men and women will be able to play off any of the three tees and their handicap adjusted accordingly because the Slope Rating will be different for men and women for each set of tees.

TEE LENGTH MEN WOMEN
    COURSE RATING SLOPE RATING COURSE RATING SLOPE RATING
1 6,530 yds 72.6 131 78.1 135
2 6,056 yds 70.4 124 75.4 129
3 5,407 yds 67.3 112 71.2 121

Clubs are encouraged to use numbers for their tees instead of colours to get away from the concept of men’s and women’s tees. Each club will have a look-up chart called a Course Handicap Conversion Chart which will allow you to convert your Handicap Index into a Course Handicap for whichever set of tees you are playing.  The chart uses a simple formula to do the conversion.

 Course Handicap = Handicap Index x Slope Rating/113. But you don’t need to remember this formula or do any calculations manually because the Conversion Chart at the club will do it for you.

The “average” golf course (world-wide) has a Slope Rating of 113. So, if the set of tees you are playing from has a slope rating of more than 113, that’s more difficult than average and your Course Handicap will be higher than your Handicap Index and if you are playing from a set of tees with a slope rating of less than 113, easier than average, your Course Handicap will be lower than your Handicap Index.