All set for Great Rift tournament

The Great Rift Valley Championship golf tournament kicks off this Valentine’s weekend in Naivasha in a three-days 54 holes’ strokes play format.

The tournament will feature 115 top leading amateurs displaying their skills and talents at the challenging Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort’s 18 holes’ championship course located on the Mau Escarpment. 

The tournament is one of the ongoing Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series being played across the country.

The total kitty prize purse set to be shared among the top leaders is Sh225,000 with the overall winner to walk away with Sh55,300.

Players to watch include defending champion Elvis Muigua, as well as Daniel Kiragu, Sammy Mulama, and Josphat Rono.

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Notably, two female competitors will participate are Kellie Gachaga from Karen Country Club and Diana Mbuba from Royal Nairobi Golf Club.

The players are expected to have a stress free field day following the absence of their other top Kenyan colleagues namely Michael Karanga, Adel Balala and John Lejirma among others who are away in Rwanda participating in the Rwanda Open Championship.

In a highly competitive lineup, all participants will compete in the first two rounds after which the top 33 players, including ties, will advance to the final round on Sunday.

Recognised as a World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) event, the championship offers players the chance to earn valuable ranking points while vying for the coveted title.

The tournament will adhere to the Rules of Golf as approved by R&A Rules Limited alongside the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Local Rules and any additional local regulations set by the tournament Committee.

NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora said this leg of the KAGC series reflects their commitment to growing the sport and providing a platform for golfers to showcase their talent.

“Our continued partnership with the Kenya Golf Union is to make the series attractive enough for both the rising golfers and the elite amateurs. We look forward to an exciting competition this weekend as golfers compete to take charge of the leaderboard early in the series, "noted Gachora.

Kenya Golf Union (KGU) Vice Chairman and Tournament Director Chris Kinuthia said the Union is thrilled to host this competitive field for the Championship and that the tournament is a fantastic opportunity for both elite golfers and rising stars to sharpen their skills and gain essential experience.

“I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to all the players for their continued support of this series. We are grateful to the Bank for their steadfast dedication to the advancement of golf in Kenya. Their support has been instrumental in improving the quality of this event, enabling us to provide vital resources for player participation and tournament management, “said Kinuthia.

Elsewhere at the Sea-link Mombasa golf course in Mombasa county, golfers will be battling for top honors and sterling prizes in the Club Captain’s (Francis Muthamia) prize tournament this weekend.

The two days’ tournament that ends tomorrow on Saturday has drawn golfers from the home club, Nyali, Diamond Leisure, Vipingo, Malindi with friends and guests of the captain from up country clubs including the wider Nairobi.

The dress code on day one is Red and Black, day two is Blue and white during the day and a touch of Red in the evening.

The first flight to tee off at 7.50 am  on the first day (Friday) is Fidelis Odumo, S.Dodhia, R.Dodhia and A.Kioko while the last at 1.50 pm will  be that of Henry Kamau, Ndiga Kithae, Dominic.Makau, Charles Kariuki.