Time is ticking and hearts beating fast ahead of Ladies Coast Open

Tanzania’s Neema Olomi. [Maarufu Mohamed,Standard]

Its countdown to the forthcoming Ladies Coast Open where an estimated 150 finest Lady Golfers from the East African region are expected to pitch camp for one week around Kenya’s Coastal Golf Clubs.

This is one of the ongoing tourneys in the ongoing Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) Calendar of events where the Ladies will be showcasing their power, skills and talents from 5th to 10^th, August.

The open under the umbrella of the KLGU headed by chairman Jane Babsa Nzibo together with the KLGU Coast representative Teresia Odoo are delighted with the organization so far and expect a memorable tourney.

Odoo said the week-long tournament has attracted participants from around the Country and the East African region at large, with participants coming from Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda.

“The event will prove a significant milestone in the history of the sport in Kenya and work to motivate the next generation of young female players throughout the Country such as Allysa Jamal, Kellie Gachaga, Rasmeet Kaur, Genevieve Tatiana and Chanelle Wangari, “said Odoo.

She pointed out that the event will showcase Kenya as a unique Golfing and Tourism destination as well as elevate the Country as an important player on the World’s stage, not just in terms of Golf but Sports in general.

Uganda’s Martha Babirye. [Maarufu Mohamed,Standard]

The Coast Lady Captains who have managed to put all the event together include Caroline Mokaya (Diamonds Leisure Golf Club), Fiona Mbandi (Mombasa Golf Club), Maria Mariga (Nyali Golf and Country Golf Club), Hamida Chidagaya (Malindi Golf Club) and Sue Williams (Vipingo Ridge Golf Club).

According to the Calendar, the ladies will start in Kilifi County at Malindi Country Club on Monday,5^th, August, and move to Vipingo Baobab Ridge course on Tuesday,6^th, August before taking a rest on Wednesday,7^th, August.

They will then move to Kwale County to play at Diamonds Leisure Golf Club course on Thursday, 8^th August and come to Mombasa County to battle with the Indian strong winds at the Sea-link Course on Friday, 9^th, August before taking a final 36 holes rounds at the Nyali Golf and Country Club Course on Saturday 10^th, August.

The event has been jointly supported by KCB, Bandari DT Sacco, Wine and More, Fertility Point, Sand lovers, Base Titanium, Kenya Pipeline and Josef Seibel Africa Ltd among others.

The defending champions of all the five venues has confirmed their participation to defend their titles and will be landing in Mombasa from next week to familiarize with the courses and also acclimatize with  the unpredictable Coastal weather.

KLGU Chairlady Jane Babza Nzibo.[Maarufu Mohamed,Standard]

The champions are the Malindi Vasco Da Gama winner Emma Pennington from Nakuru Golf Club, Vipingo winner Joyce Wanjiru of Kiambu and Leisure Lodge Trophy defending champion Mwongeli Nzioka.

Others are the Mombasa trophy defending Champion youthful Martha Babirye from Uganda and the 36-hole Nyali bowl trophy Defending Champion Neema Olomi from Tanzania.

But they may expect tough challenges against Kenya’s finest and top leading Ladies among them Golf park’s Margaret Njoki, Nyali’s Allysa Jamal, Susan Stokes and Mary Kandu.

Others are Vipingo’s Jacky Walter, Vet Lab’s Mercy Nyanchama, Muthaiga Kellie Gachaga, Eldoret’s Esther Chumo and Golf Park’s Nancy Wanjiru.

Uganda’s Martha will also be expected to defending the Coast series overall gross title after grabbing the lead with a combined score of 478 gross accumulated in all the five events at Leisure Lodge, Mombasa, Nyali, Malindi, Vipingo Ridge and Kenya Navy Golf Club’s Lady golfer Grace Kwamboka will defend the Nett category after carrying it year with a combined total score of 439 nett.

LADIES COAST OPEN 2024 CALENDAR;

Malindi Country Club -Monday,5th, August (18 holes);

Vipingo Baobab Ridge-Tuesday,6th, August (18 holes);

Rest day……………………. -Wednesday,7th,August;

Diamonds Leisure Golf-Thursday, 8th August (18 holes);

Sea-link Mombasa……. -Friday, 9th, August (18 holes);

Nyali Golf and Country Club-Saturday 10th, August (36 holes);