Golfers to battle for honours in Kitale

Pro Kevin Mabele of Karen Golf and Country Club in action on the par-five 18th at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi, April 19, 2024, during Mulembe Alpha tournament. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

A mixed field of professional and elite golfers will take to the Kitale Club fairways as they battle for a share of the Sh450,000 prize fund.

It will be the weekend golf highlight as most city golfers will travel to the Tranzoia course.

 Several city-based courses have been rendered unplayable due to flooding occasioned by prevailing heavy rainfall and its adverse effects across the country.

Those affected include Sigona Club, which has postponed the Moyo Casino Golf Tournament, slated for this Saturday, to a later date.

The Kenya Railway Golf Club also postponed the Railway Invitational that was supposed to have been played on May 3-5, which was postponed indefinitely through a statement issued by the club Captain Edward Manywanda.

"We regret to inform you that due to the prevailing heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions, it has become necessary to temporarily close the Kenya Railway Golf Club course until further notice." the statement read in part.

Other courses that have been partly closed include Vet Lab Sports Club and Ruiru Sports Club, among other clubs.

Organized by Mulembe Golfing Society, 13 pros led by Robinson Owiti, Nelson Simwa (VetLab Sports Club), Justas Madoya (Great Rift Valley Golf Resort), Kevin Mabele (Karen Golf and Country Club), Dismas Indiza (Kakamega Sports Club), Kopan Timbe (Thika Greens Golf Resort), Dennis Saikwa, David Wakhu, Joseph Karanja, and Elias Indeche (Golf Park), Others are Richard Ainley (Nakuru Golf Club), Andrew Chelogoi (Eldoret Club), George Filex (Kenya Railway Golf Club and Hesbon Kutwa from Royal Nairobi Golf Club.

"MGS executive committee has extended an olive branch to professional golfers from the non-Mulembe nation communities to join the society which is keen on promoting the game of golf across the country," said MGS Captain George Eshuchi.

With the rains, the course is in immaculate shape with forgiving roughs and fast greens that will provide a memorable challenge to those who will participate in the two-day meet delivered by Mulembe Golf Society in association with Erick Nyongesa, Niral Shah and John Thuo, the convenors of the Kitale ProAm.

At the par-72 Nakuru Golf Club layout, over 150 golfers have confirmed their participation in the Britam Insurance golf tournament this Saturday. 

According to Captain Kiprotich Kemboi, "All is set for tomorrow's golf outing, the day's sponsor of the day is assuring those who will grace our fairways."