Sea-link Mombasa course to celebrate Mashujaa Day

Mombasa golf club’s veteran senior golfer Bernard Simiyu. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

An estimated 150 golfers to  celebrate the ‘Mashujaa’ day in style with a golf tournament to be played at the challenging Sea-Link par 71 Mombasa golf course in Mombasa County on Saturday.

The 18 holes day long tournament by Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) has attracted various golfers around the Country’s golf clubs including Nairobi’s Kenya Airforce golf club and Mombasa’s Kenya Navy golf club golfers.

It tees off from 7am alongside the four-ball team of M. Irungu, D. Waruinge.M. Kamundi and a post entry golfer while the last team at 1.30 pm will be that of J. Oduor, Salim Taib, Bernard Simiyu and S. Cheruto.

Club Chairman Paul Munyao said the club was thrilled to host the tournament and has done everything to ensure its success and enjoyment.

“The course is playing well and is in its pristine condition. It’s a big day for us here at the club where various sterling prizes for the winners has been lined up with various entertainments and we are ready to kick off, “said Munyao.

Elsewhere on the same day, the 18-hole Thika sports club will host the penultimate leg of the KCB East Africa golf tour where players continue to book their slots in the tour’s grand finale slated for December 6th, 2024.

The tournament with action getting underway from 6:30 am for the morning tee before the afternoon tee set for 12:30 pm features amongst others the long hitting lady golfer Scola Onsongo and other top amateur players.

Club captain Moses Gatonye said they are prepared for the tournament and expect over 200 golfers to be part of the event.

“Thika has become a hub for corporate golf events, our course is in good shape and can host many players. For sure, it will be a competitive tournament and I cannot wait to see who will emerge victorious, “said Gatonye.

The 11-month long series has seen action head to Nairobi, Mombasa, Kiambu, Nyeri, Kericho, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Kericho, Kisii, Kakamega, Kisumu, and Machakos while in the East African region, Burundi and Tanzania have also fielded a tournament each.

And the 2024 Diani Masters will also take place on the same weekend at the par 72 Diamonds Leisure golf resort, South Coast of Mombasa in Kwale County where the golfers will also be seeking to grab the “Green Jacket.”

An estimated 78 talented golfers are expected to grace the course including prominent players such as national team Captain John Lejirma, Michael Karanga, and Elvis Muigua, alongside top lady golfer Joyce Wanjiru.

The total prize money for the tournament is ksh.600,000 with the winner taking home a sum of Ksh.130,000O.

KGU Chairman David Ndung'u said, "We are excited to welcome players and fans alike to the event. This tournament not only showcases the incredible talent within our golfing community but also promotes the beautiful region of Diani as a premier destination for sports tourism. We look forward to an exciting weekend of golf and camaraderie.”

The three-day 54-hole stroke play Championship has drawn the Amateurs from across the Country where all the golfers will play in the first two rounds after which the top 33 and ties will make the cut to the final round to be played on Sunday.

Top players will earn points to the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC).

The Diani event follows the Nandi Bears Open Shield held at the Nandi Bears Golf Club at the beginning of the month where home player Elly Barno clinched his first Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) title.