-Club Chairman Benjamin Wasige say a fat share of cash prize kitty is up for grabs in the Pro-Am tournament;
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS;
Malindi Golf and Country club will be the host again for the second edition of the 2024 Governor-Gideon Mung’aro Cup golf tournament set to tee off from this weekend at the club’s nine-hole par 70 course in Kilifi County.
The three days Pro-Am tournament kicking off from Friday,11th to Sunday 13th will feature professionals and amateurs around the country and beyond including neighboring Uganda and Tanzania.
Club chairman Benjamin Wasige all is set and ready for the great event where the players will be battling for a fat share of Ksh.1 million prize money while guests will enjoy the warmth hospitality services from the Club and more tourism spots around Malindi town.
He pointed out that a share of Ksh.550, 000 kitty will be for the top 20 amateurs while Ksh.300, 000 has been set for the top 5 professionals and Ksh.100, 000 for the subsidiary competition winners on Sunday.
Wasige said that this annual event coming to Kilifi County and sponsored by the Local County Governor Gideon Munga’ro for the second-year running has attracted all the best golfers from the republic and others from the neighboring countries to promote the sport of golf and sports tourism in the County.
“We welcome all the golfers and guests to come enjoy the game and the current excellent warm climate mixed with the cool Indian Ocean breeze, “said Wasige.
He pointed out that the course that hosts such top events like the Vasco Da Gama Cup, a Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series is in pristine condition and playing well.
“The golfers will not only enjoy the game but also tour the local town to improve the local tourism in Malindi town and we are delighted that the tournament aimed at creating awareness in Kilifi County will use golf to upgrade our club and also improve the local tourism to a sports destination, “said Wasige.
Kilifi County Governor Gideon Munga’ro noted that the tournament will not only promote local tourism in Malindi town but the entire Kilifi County.
“We are supporting such events to promote tourism and especially sports tourism to make Kilifi a sporting and tourism destination. Such events will see the guests and players use facilities like hotels, buy items from vendors, tour the town of Malindi and that’s why we shall continue supporting the club to bring in more golf events, “said Munga’ro.
The club’s captain Henry Akello and the Lady Captain Hamida Chidagaya were by yesterday on Wednesday putting their head together with the management and staff team finalizing details to ensure the smooth success of the tournament.
National captain John Lejirma who last weekend led a four-man team Kenya to retain the 2024 Region IV title for the third-year running has confirmed participation.
“Yes, I will be playing the Pro-Am at Malindi. It’s always exciting to compete on this challenging course and Iam looking forward to the challenge. I will be aiming to perform at my best, and it’s always a privilege to play alongside the talented field we have this year and looking forward to it, “said Lejirma.
The tournament that is set for players with a handicap limit of under 18.3 has attracted defending champion Michael Karanga of Kiambu who was also in last weekend’s team Kenya to Rwanda.
Karanga last year set a course record of five under par 65 gross in the final round and is expected to defend the title fiercely.
His club mate Elvis Muigua who was last year’s runners up on a combined score of 146 gross alongside third placed Ebill Omollo has also confirmed their participation.
They will be battling with Coast locals that includes among others Sammy Mulama, Henry Kamau, Emannuel Dena, Paul Chivasti, Paul Koech, Tirus Githaiga, Justine Ongere, Gurbux Singh, Willy Sang and Edwin Kiptoo.
Vipingo Ridge’s Naomi Wafula who is expected to lead the Ladies squad has confirmed her presence and vowed under all conditions to bring home good results.
“Iam looking forward to a competitive and exciting tournament, especially given the great course and strong field of players. It’s always a fantastic experience playing at Malindi, and Iam excited to showcase my game alongside the pros, “said Wafula.
Professionals confirmed are James Karanja, David Wakhu, D. Saikwa, Jackob Okello, Martin Wahome, George flex, and home club’s-based Samuel Mapinga and Samson Kahindi among others while Dismas Indiza, John Davies and the only Coast lady Bhavi Shah were to confirm their presence.
Malindi Golf and Country club founded in 1962 lies at sea level altitude and is built alongside the dunes that winds its way around a forest and wetlands.
It is a member of the Kenya Golf Union (K.G.U) and the Kenya Ladies Golf Union (K.L.G.U) and supports golf activities through its affiliations with the unions.
The club has additional Greens and Tees that creates the feeling of a full 18-holes while its course measures 6,000 yards for men and 5,200 yards for women with a par of 70 for both and has an irrigation project that sees all Greens and Tee boxes watered.
It is located 3 km north of Malindi through B8 Malindi-Lamu Road and Golf Course Drive that features an interesting 9-hole course.
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