Check out latest Golf Updates
This is a Kenya Amateur Golf Championship event where the top 20 will be ranked.
The event has attracted over 96 players and will be played from 16th – 18th September 2022.
Among the players include the team Captain Dennis Maara and defending Champion Adel Balala
KENYA NATIONAL GOLF TEAM FOR ALL AFRICA GOLF TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Dennis Maara will once again lead a team of four who will be participating in the upcoming All Africa Golf Team Championship to be held from 25th – 30th September 2022 in Egypt.
The team is comprised of Team Captain, Dennis Maara of Limuru Country Club, John Lejirma of Railway Golf Club , Adel Balala of Nyali Golf and Country Club and Michael Karanga of Kiambu Golf Club. This is the same team that participated and won the just Concluded Region IV and Victoria Cup events.
‘The team has been on a high following the previous wins in the Region IV and Victoria Cup. We are looking forward to taking the next assignment at AAGTC in Egypt. Playing against the top amateurs on the continent will be a true test of our ability as a team. Myself, Adel, Lejirma and Karanga have been working hard individually and we will be in training with our coach following the break after our recent success.’ Said Dennis Maara team Captain
The team, which will be led by Kenya Golf Union (KGU) chairman Njani Ndiritu, has been in training under national junior coach John van Liefland over the past three weeks ahead of the championship which has attracted a total of 15 countries some of which include South Africa, Uganda , Tanzania, Zambia, Morocco, Ghana, Tunisia, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Namibia , Malawi and the Seychelles among others.
‘The team has been on a high following the previous wins in the Region IV and Victoria Cup and we at the Union are certain that they will bring yet another trophy home’. Said Mr. Njani Ndiritu Chairman Kenya Golf Union.
About Africa Amateur Golf Team Championship
The Africa Amateur Golf Team Championship event remains one of the most prestigious golf competitions in Africa. It is held bi-annually and is played using the Eisenhower format and is a 72 hole stroke play played over three days. Each country is represented by a team of four players. The team score is obtained by adding the best three of the four gross scores. The trophy is awarded to the team with the lowest aggregate score.
John Lejirma of Railway Golf Club is the winner of the 2022 Nyanza Open.
John Lejirma clinched the Nyanza Open Trophy after 1st hole play off
Good representation by the KGU officials Mr.David Ndung’u , Mr.Moses Tanui and Mr. Julius Oketch.
Many thanks to the tournament referee Mr. SK Mwaura
SIR NICK FALDO FINALS
Daniel Kiragu of Muthaiga Golf Club is the overall winner of the 2022 Sir Nick Faldo Kenya Championship, Kiragu won after the second sudden death play off with Elvis Muigua of Kiambu Golf Club. The play off was determined after they both 228 gross after the three rounds of 18 holes each.
Other winners that have qualified play the Sir Nick Faldo Series Grand Finale in Abudabi after topping in their age categories include ; Channelle Wangari of vet Lab Sports Club , Krish Shah of Vet Lab Sport Club , Faith Ontune of Golf Park Golf Club. The four qualified to play the final round after making cut yesterday to make it to top 48 players.
The tournament which was played at Limuru Golf Club from 10th – 12th September 2022 attracted a total of 62 elite juniors drawn from different clubs across the country including Limuru, GolfPark, Muthaiga, Kiambu, VetLab, Windsor, Nakuru, Thika Sports, Naivasha, Royal Nairobi, Ndumberi, Karen, Nyali, Kenya Railway and Sigona Golf Clubs.
We are privileged to be the first country in Africa to host this event. We do believe that next year we will get bigger numbers drawn from our neighboring countries Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda , Burundi and many more. Said Honorary Secretary – Kenya Golf Union Mr. David Ndung’u.
In addition, Junior Golf Foundation organized for a sports psychology session which was conducted by Pro Nelson Mudanyi of Muthaiga Golf Club.
Winners per Category
12-16 Boys – Krish Shah ( 16 years) 81,82,83 = 246
12-16 Girls, – Channelle Wangari ( 15 years ) 78,80,22= 235
17-21 Boys, – Daniel Kiragu (21 years) 73,79,76 = 228
17-21 Girls Faith Onute ( 19 years) 88,83,89= 260
About Nick – Faldo Series
The tournament is a World Amateur Ranking Event that is part of the global Sir Nick Faldo Series which exposes the juniors to a great competition experience and in the long term enhances the development of ardent junior golfers to professional levels.
END
RE: KENYA TO HOST THE 2022 VICTORIA CUP AT LIMURU COUNTRY CLUB
This year’s Victoria Cup an event between Kenya and Uganda will be hosted by Kenya at Limuru Country Club from July 28th to 31st where each team will be represented by 10 players.
The Kenya Golf Union had earlier named 17 players who have been undergoing training under coach John van Liefland, in preparation for the event. The squad included; Dennis Maara (Limuru), Adel Balala ( Nyali), Jay Sandhu (Muthaiga), John Lejirmah (Railway), Michael Karanga (Kiambu), Sammy Mulama (Golf Park), Ebill Omollo (Vet Lab), and John Kamais (Nakuru), Christopher Andrea ( Ruiru Sports Club). The Juniors are Njoroge Kibugu (Muthaiga, Daniel Kiragu (Muthaiga), Mikael Kihara (Vet Lab), Steve Orinda (Vet Lab), Chrisphine Owuor (Vet Lab), Lee Kimathi (Windsor), Andrew Wahome ( Nyali Golf & Country Club, and Ngondo Kimemia (Sigona.
‘Today, we are pleased to announce the Team of 10 that will represent Kenya in this year’s Victoria Cup.” Said Mr. Njani Ndiritu the Chairman Kenya Golf Union.
Since its inauguration in 2016 Kenya has won the event three times. In 2019, Uganda won the event at Entebbe Golf Club. “We are happy to stage the event once again this year, something we were not able to do in 2020 and 2021 due to the challenges brought about by the Covid 19 Pandemic” added Ndiritu.
Team Kenya will comprise of Adel Balala, Andrew Wahome, Christopher Andrea, Daniel Kiragu, Dennis Maara, Ebill Omollo, John Lejirma, Michael Karanga, Njoroge Kibugu and Sammy Mulama.
Talking from the training Venue – Limuru Country Club, Dennis Maara the team captain oozed confidence as he reassured the country that the team is fully prepared and that they intend to get the trophy back.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
● THURSDAY 28TH JULY 2022 – PRACTICE ROUND & FLAG RAISING CEREMONY
● FRIDAY 29TH JULY 2022
MAIN EVENT ROUND 1 – FOUR BALL BETTER BALL
MAIN EVENT ROUND 2 – FOURSOMES
● SATURDAY 30TH JULY 2022
MAIN EVENT ROUND 3 – FOUR BALL BETTER BALL
MAIN EVENT ROUND 4 – FOURSOMES
● SUNDAY 31ST JULY 2022
MAIN EVENT ROUND 5 – SINGLES
SUBSIDIARY EVENT – TEXAS SCRAMBBLE
CLOSING CEREMONY
I also take this opportunity to thank Absa Bank for kitting team Kenya and we look forward to more and better partnerships in Future
About Kenya Golf Union
Formed in 1928, the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) is Kenya’s oldest continuous sports body. It is affiliated to the Ministry of Sports & Culture, the Royal & Ancient and also the International Golf Federation as the representative body of the golfing sport in Kenya. It is a union of 38 golf clubs and 2 golfing societies in Kenya and is responsible for managing and regulating the sport in Kenya
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
