Karano to lead local charge at Strokeplay Championship

Top lady golfers from Tanzania and Uganda are among a star-studded field that will converge on the par-71 Muthaiga Golf Club course on Friday for the 2011 Kenya Ladies’ Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship.

While Tanzania has entered only three players, including Arusha Gymkhana’s Madina Iddy, Uganda will be represented by a team of five players, including past winner Flavia Namakula and Jasper Kamukama, one of the leading lady golfers in Uganda.

Local challenge

Leading the local challenge will be defending champion Mary Karano, who, despite winning the 2010 Golfer Of The Year title, failed to travel with Kenya’s team to the Gilberson and Page Trophy in Zambia due to personal reasons. Karano has picked up a few titles in the local scene since the season started.

Her main opposition has been coming from the 13-year-old Naomi Wafula from the Rose Naliaka Academy, who has won two national titles already this season.

Wafula is also among those in contention for Kenya’s top ladies’ golf. Other locals also vying for the title include Muthaiga’s Jane Njoroge, Florence Maina, Christina Andersen and Royal Nairobi’s Sarah Hoare.

As usual, it is a 54-hole two day event with two rounds to be played tomorrow, while the third and final round will take place on Sunday.

Of the field of 50 players drawn, 14 will be in the Bronze Division, while the rest will battle it out for the Silver Division title.

Meanwhile Machakos golfers will join Windsor members also today for the Misitu Golf Challenge.