-Club Captain Gitonga say this is in appreciation for the work he has done for Kenya as well as his efforts in promoting golf activities;
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS;
Kenya’s golf legend Duncan Ndegwa will be honored during a golf tourney at the Sea-Link par 71 Mombasa Golf Club’s Course in Mombasa County during the ‘Mashujaa’ Day celebrations.
Club Captain James Gitonga said the ‘Duncan Ndegwa’ Golf Day is organized by the Club in conjunction with the Duncan Nderitu Ndegwa Foundation to celebrate the Friday ‘Mashujaa’ day by honoring Mzee Duncan Ndegwa who is the first African and former Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).
“Ndegwa was also the first Kenya Golf Union (KGU) Patron from 1976 before former President Mwai Kibaki took over 1983 and has played great roles in promoting the sports of Golf, encouraging Kenyans to play golf and protecting many golf courses around the Country from land grabbers, “said Gitonga.
The Captain said that they have chosen the 2023 ‘Mashujaa’ Day to honor Ndegwa by hosting a golf tournament to show appreciation for the work he has done for Kenya as well as his efforts in promoting golf activities.
In a Letter to Ndegwa the Captain noted, “You have all along been known to have a passion for golf and your great contribution to the Development of this sporting activity remains incontestable. Therefore we as a Club feel proud to host Duncan Nderitu Ndegwa Golf Tournament which will provide a good opportunity for us, to reflect the advancement made so far in promoting golf. This was an activity that was not that popular in the past but today it is one of the most well liked recreational activities in Kenya. We also intend to celebrate your remarkable contribution to the development of this country we all love. We recognize your significant role in overseeing the blossoming of the young nation, Kenya from its independent state to where it is today, “said Gitonga.
The Captain further noted that the Club was proud to be associated with Ndgewa as a renowned philanthropist whose charitable works have benefited thousands of Students and it so worthwhile to celebrate him on such a day like ‘Mashujaa’ which was set aside for Kenyans to pay tribute to their heroes.
The daylong 18 holes stable ford event is sponsored by ICEA Lion Group with others being the NCBA and ‘Wanakirima’ and is expected to attract more than 160 golfers.
The Club’s green Keeper Tirus Githaiga said the course was playing well being in an excellent condition and assured golfers that pin positions around the course will be placed in a friendly way to allow them have fun and enjoy the day expected to be characterized by cool breeze from the nearby Indian Ocean.
In a reply to the Club, Ndegwa said, “Iam greatly honored by your kind gesture of celebrating me as a ‘Shujaa’ during this forthcoming Duncan Ndegwa Golf day on Friday. I accept this humbly and looking forward to participating in the celebrations.”
The tourney tees off from 7.24 am with the first flight team of F.lasker, P.T. Gitau and S. Mwangi with the four ball team of sponsors coming in at 10.52am and 11am while the Club Captain’s team of J. Gitonga(C), P. Lokopoyit, Dr. J. Wangai,and Club Chairman Paul Munyao starting at 11.56am.
The Last flight will be at 1.08 pm comprising a four ball group of Q. Naqvi, H. Kamau, A. Habala, and J. Githere.
Men Golfers expected to put spirited fight at the course includes among them Symon Wambugu, Lawrence Odhiambo, Eric Nyongesa, Jonson Wamunyua, Bernard Simiyu, Aamin Mughal and Henry Kamau.
The Ladies among them will be Susan Mwangi, Lady Captain Fiona Mbandi, Faith Muteti, Jayne Githere, Mesaidi Maarifa, Grace Kwamboka, Glady’s Kasi and Diana Nthiwa.
The 98 years old Duncan Nderitu Ndegwa is a proof that ‘Age is just a number’ and is still an active golfer who finds time to plays some holes at Nyali Golf and Country Club Course ,having started playing golf in 1954 at St. Andrews University in Scotland while a Student.
Ndegwa, currently a member of Nyali Golf and Country Club and Nyeri Golf Club is the first African and longest serving Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya and the first post-independence Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet in Kenya who has also authored four books in his sunset years.
Duncan Ndegwa Born in 1925 in Nyeri,over saw the transition from a colonial civil service to an African-led one and was also the longest serving Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, an institution he led from 1967 to 1982, when he retired aged 55.
Ndegwa is said to have contributed immensely to the development of Sports golf and preservation of various golf course facilities around the Country.
After Independence, Ndegwa mobilized Kenyans to play golf in various Courses like Railways, Muthaiga, Kiambu, Mombasa, Nyali, Sigona, and Royal among others.
‘Mashujaa’ Day, also known as Heroes’ Day (“mashujaa” is Swahili for “heroes”), is a national day in Kenya, which is observed on 20 October as a public holiday to collectively honour all those who contributed towards the struggle for Kenya’s independence or positively contributed in the post-independence Kenya.
ENDS;
