Heritage

Kenya amateur golf circuit is not for the faint-hearted

golf

Edwin Mudanyi during Karen Challenge Trophy Round in September at Karen Country Club in Nairobi. FILE PHOTO | NMG

The Kenya Golf Union (KGU) organised Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC), formerly and commonly known as the Golfer of the Year Championship came to a close at the Nyali Golf and Country Club last weekend.

The gruelling 18-part countrywide series of events, beginning with the Sigona Bowl in Kiambu County and moving to the Mount Kenya Championship in Nyeri, the Hippo Pot Championship in Kisumu, the Tea Fields Trophy in Kericho, the Barry Cup in Mombasa, the Manchester Salver in Uasin Gishu and the Trans Nzoia Championship, among others, concluding with the Nyali Open is not for the faint-hearted.

This series of elite amateur golf events from Lake Victoria through the Rift Valley to the Coast, demands of the players a great deal of time, travel, deep pockets for all the logistical support in travel, food, accommodation, caddy and entry fees. And whilst the KAGC is designed for amateur golfers, the schedule of events, through 12 months demands a ‘professional’ like life of the players. With one and a half events per month on average and a few international assignments, these top amateurs have time for little else; but this is a story for another day.

In keeping with tradition, the 2017 KAGC kicked off with the Sigona Bowl in January and the winner was Limuru’s John Karichu, who also claimed victory at the Coronation Trophy at the Nakuru Golf Club in June and the Limuru Open in July.

The Mount Kenya Championship was staged at the Nyeri Club in February and Vet Lab’s Mike Kisia won. He went on to clinch the Winston Churchill at the Thika Sports Club in April and the Coast Open at the Mombasa Golf Club in July. The Muthaiga Open is the third event on the calendar and Railways’ Alfred Nandwa was the winner there. Nandwa would not win again through the season.

Samuel Njoroge won the Windsor Classic in March whilst Kenneth Bollo claimed the Trans Nzoia Championship at the scenic Kitale Club in May. The two big events on the KAGC calendar are the Kenya Amateur Match Play Championship and the Kenya Amateur Stroke Play Championship. This year, the Match Play event was staged at the Vet Lab Sports Club and Thika’s Joseph Gathumbi was the surprise winner beating local hero Edwin Mudanyi in the final.

With this victory, Gathumbi became the first amateur to book a slot into the 2018 Barclays Kenya Open Golf Championship. The Stroke Play Championship was very successfully hosted at Nyali Golf Club in October and fittingly, home player Daniel Nduva was the winner. With this victory, Nduva also booked a slot for the 2018 Barclays Kenya Open.

Vet’s Mudanyi registered his first victory at the Kabete Open in August, deep into the season; he also claimed victory at the Manchester Salver at the Eldoret Club in November. However, his performance across all 18 tournaments was enough to crown him the 2017 Kenya Amateur Golf Champion with a total of 508.6 points, a clear 48.9 points ahead of Royal’s Dennis Saikwa with 459.7points. Limuru’s Karichu finished third with 438.5 points, Vet’s Kisia finished fourth with 396 points and Railway’s Njoroge was fifth with 316.2.

Golfers should pay close attention to Nyali’s Daniel Nduva who finished in sixth place with 238.2 points after playing only five events. Nduva demonstrated his prowess, winning the final event of the season, the Nyali Open with a comfortable five-stroke margin and was also victorious at the Kenya Amateur Stroke Play Championship. Nduva’s average points per event was 47.64 compared to Mundayi’s 29.9 points average. Had Nduva, a student in South Africa, participated in just half of the KAGC events, I have no doubt he would have been crowned champion with more than 100 points to spare.

Paul Muchangi was victorious at the Karen Challenge, Anthony Kinuthia claimed the Kericho Tea Fields Trophy, Dennis Saikwa was the victor at the Hippo Pot event at Nyanza Club in November and again at the prestigious Uhuru Shield at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club.

For now, congratulations to Mudanyi for winning the 2017 KAGC and all the best in the 2018 Barclays Open.