Defending champion Mbuba upbeat ahead of 2024 Matchplay Championship at Thika Greens

Defending Champion Diana Mbuba. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

Royal Nairobi Golf Club’s Lady Golfer Diana Mbuba will be expected to defend her title against top leading colleagues in the 2024 Kenya Ladies Open Amateurs Matchplay Championship Golf tournament that tees off at the 18 holes par 72 Thika Greens Golf Resort Golf Course in Kiambu County from today Friday.

The 2023 Lady Champion Mbuba registered her win after 22nd hole sudden death against Njoro Country Club’s Mercy Nyanchama who was the runner up at the event that was held at the par 72 Royal Nairobi Golf Club Course.

The two ladies will be meeting again this time in the same event but different venue with Mbuba teeing off first at 12 noon in match one while her rival Nyanchama tees off in match five at 12.20 pm.

“I have been doing relentless practice and hard work behind the scenes and expected to shine over my rival Nyanchama and because Golf is a Sport I Love So much apart from being a competition, I can’t wait for the day,” Said Mbuba.

Nyanchama on the other hand said “This year the season has been good to me and with my recent victories at the just concluded Ladies Coast Open, I am confident of clinching the Championship.”

The event that runs to Sunday has been organized by the Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) and has attracted several leading Lady Amateurs from across Golf Clubs in the Country.

KLGU Event Convenor Betty Mutua said the tournament is a Golfer of the Year Event (GOTY) and is open to Amateur female Golfers who will play in divisions namely the Amateur Championship for those with Handicap Index +5 to 12, Division A for Handicap Index 10 to 18 and Division B Handicap for those with Index 19 to 30.

“The draw for the first round has been seeded according to handicap indices with the exception of the 2023 Winners and Runner-ups and the Championship will be played off SCRATCH, “said Mutua.

She further pointed out that there shall be Saturday afternoon Ladies Foursomes (Subsidiaries) for those Golfers knocked out of the Championship event while Sunday morning Subsidiaries will be open for supporters and those knocked out of the Championship and the winner of the Championship will be the Lady Champion for the year 2024.

Equally other Lady Golfers currently in good form and notably to watch includes Belinda Wanjiru, Ashley Awuor, Kellie Gachaga, Bianca Ngechu, Jane Gikonyo, Esther Chumo, Naomi Wafula, Margaret Njoki, Emma Pennington and Frankie Gichuru among others.

Thika Green Golf Resort’s Vice Lady Captain Jackline Sirai said the Club has done everything to ensure the Ladies and all the Guests are comfortable and assured the players that the course is in its pristine condition and playing well.

“We are ready for our visitors and they will enjoy both the course and the evening as all plans have been finalized to make the day memorable to all, “said Sirai.