NAIROBI, Kenya, March 9 – Twenty four local golfers including six amateurs are expected to take part in this month’s Kenya Golf Open at the Muthaiga Golf Club.Kenya Golf Union chairman Sam Ndegwa said on Tuesday that he was delighted that the event which is part of the European PGA Challenge Tour has given a chance to the players who are capable of playing at the same level as the elite players.
“These amateurs are as good as pros. These year we would like to see all of them making the cut so that we can prove we can field amateurs that are full of quality,” said Ndegwa.
Dome of the local amateurs expected to participate are Sullivan Muthugia, Francis Kimani, Stefan Andersen, Ganeev Giddie, Boniface Simwa and Collins Omondi.
Tournament director Peter Coombes said that player interest has been received from as far as South America and Asia.
“We have four players coming in from Argentina and for the first time a player from Chile called Mark Tullo. Despite the problems that they have been in having in there, he is still coming,” said Coombes.
Past winners Lee James, Ian Pynam and Phil Golding are also expected to take part in the event scheduled to be held from March 25-28.
On Tuesday the event received received sponsorship money from most of its partners with Commercial Bank of Africa, Equity and Standard Chartered forking Sh1 million each.
“We are delighted by this sponsorships from our corporate companies and will ensure that the four day tournament meets international standards in all aspects of its organization,” said Open chairman Peter Kanyago.
“Kenya Open is one of the only tournaments that meets and maintains the standards of the PGA specifications and recommendations, thus attracting top international players from the European Tour and Africa,” he added.
Entries for the tournament close on March 11 at 8 pm.