Kenya ladies golf team to defend G&P Trophy

Today, the top amateur lady golfers from Zambia and Zimbabwe arrive in the country for the Gilberson and Page Trophy (G&P) an international triangular match held every two years.

First played in 1969 as a match between East Africa and Zambia, the 44-year old championship is today the top ladies golf event in the region. According to the Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU), Jack Gilberson and Reg Page of Zambia presented the G&P Trophy in 1969.

In 1983 Zimbabwe was invited and the G&P became a triangular match between Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In 1991 the event became a biennial championship hosted alternately by the participating nations.

The G&P matches consist of three foursome matches, ordinarily played in the morning and six singles matches in the afternoon. This year’s championship will be hosted at the Karen Country Club and the Muthaiga Golf Club.

Commenting on the programme, KLGU’s Rose Musau said that the weeklong event will kick off on Sunday.

“The teams from Zambia and Zimbabwe arrive on today and we will have the flag raising ceremony on Sunday at 5pm at the Karen Country Club. On Monday, Karen will host the foursomes in the morning and the singles in the afternoon,” Musau said.

“The G&P will then move to Muthaiga for the second test on Thursday. All the visiting players will then be invited to participate in the Kenya Ladies Amateur Strokeplay Championship which will be staged at Karen on Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th of June 2013.”

In between the rounds, the visiting ladies will have rest days and official practice days.

“The G&P gives visiting times the opportunity to socialise and tour the host country; our visitors will have Tuesday the 25th and Friday the 28th of June as free days and we will take this opportunity to show them round our fantastic city,” Musau added.

“Wednesday the 26th of June is a practice day at Muthiaga before the second test. Our visitors will depart on Monday the 1st July 2013 after what we hope to be a very good week of ladies golf.”

The Kenyan ladies will tee it up at the 2013 G&P as defending champions, having triumphed at the 2011 G&P held at the Chainama Hills Golf Club in Lusaka. The Kenyan team was also victorious at home at the 2007 G&P. The G&P was not held in 2009.

So for the golf lovers among you, make a note to watch Zimbabwe vs Zambia vs Kenya at the Karen Country Club on Monday the 24th of June and again on Thursday the 27th of June 2013 at the Muthaiga Golf Club.