Top Golfers Suffer as Heavy Winds Marr 45th Amateur Championships
By Tobby Otum
Top golfers have suffered an upset on day one of the Kenya Amateur Stroke Play Championship at the famous Vipingo Ridge in Kilifi county.
The golfers at the 45th edition of the championship said the failure to achieve the best score results is due to strong winds at the golf course.
Some of them attribute the situation to many pin positions obstacles during the first elimination stage.
They said they are forced to struggle with the strong winds challenge at the golf course with the 76 elite golfers taking part before the elimination stage.
The winner of the tournament will get automatic entry into the 2023 Magical Kenya Open.
Sammy Mulama of Golf Park Golf Club took the lead with 2-over gross (74) after the first round of the tournament, followed by Isaac Makokha of Vetlab Sports Club with 3-over gross (75).
In third position is Ruiru Sports Club’s Benard Omondi with a score of 4-over gross (76).
The defending Champion Adel Balala of Nyali Golf & Country Club and Kenya’s leading amateur Jay Sandhu of Muthaiga Golf Club are also among the players who will be battling to win this prestigious trophy.
The players will be contesting for Kenya Amateur Golf Championship points, World Amateur Golf Ranking points and the overall prize money of Kshs. 115,000 which is the maximum limit for amateurs.
The winner also gets an automatic entry to the 2023
Magical Kenya Open subject to meeting the DP World Tour requirements.
Most players decried the strong winds that made the first round of the tournamentvery challenging. They are however hoping to have a better day during the second round.
The Tournament Director, Mr Philip Ochola thanked the hosts Vipingo Ridge for allowing the use of the golf course and maintaining the course in excellent shape.
He also thanked the technical team of referees led by Mr. David Kihara, Mr. David Ndung’u and Mr. Vincent Wang’ombe for prepping the course.
There will be a subsidiary tournament on Saturday, 22nd October 2022 which is open to golfers from across the country, including ladies and juniors.
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