Now top event can Imagine

• New sponsor replaces The Golf Shop, Heron and Optica at Tannahil

Kenya’s major inter-club tournament, the annual Tannahill Shield, which is this year scheduled for the Easter weekend, has landed a new sponsor.

Brand services agency Imagine IMC will sponsor the country’s oldest and most prolific foursomes matchplay event as it marks its 86th year since it was first held at Royal Nairobi, replacing 2009 sponsors The Golf Shop Limited, Heron Hotel and Optica who have been associated with the tournament for many years.

One of the most prestigious tournaments in the Kenyan sport, it brings together top golfers from all over the country, each competing to clinch the Tannahill Shield for their club.

The 2010 edition will be held from April 2-4 at Royal Nairobi Golf Club, ahead of this year’s Africa Zone Six Championship in Botswana.

Some of the participants, particularly those in the national team, will therefore be using the event as final tune-up for the continental tournament.
So-called ‘small clubs’

Widely regarded as Kenya’s equivalent to the International Ryder Cup, the event was won last year by Muthaiga Golf Club, who have now won seven titles in 10 years against Royal Nairobi’s three. Overall, the two clubs have dominated the tournament for the past 86 years.

Last year the trophy went to Vet Lab Sports Club, one of the so-called ‘small clubs’. Vet Lab has of late put up a strong show courtesy of a member, Abdallah “Baba’’ Bekah, who has over the years recruited a number of its leading players from the caddie ranks, some of whom have gone on to become professionals.

Vet Lab, or “Kabete’’ as it is popularly known, will be one of the teams to watch during this year’s battle at Royal where, according to club captain Zubin Parikh, preparations are in progress.

Elsewhere, A Ryder Cup without world number one Tiger Woods is a diminished event, European captain Colin Montgomerie said on Tuesday.

Woods, who is taking an indefinite break from golf, has been in hiding since admitting in December he had cheated on his wife.

“I do think it will be diminished if he doesn’t play [at the Ryder Cup in October] but at the same time that’s up to him and America,” said Montgomerie ahead of this week’s Dubai Desert Classic.

“Any event he enters is a bigger and better event because of him and I hope he does play.”

Woods also missed the 2008 edition of the biennial team event as he was recuperating from knee surgery.

Montgomerie was speaking on the same day it was announced that Emirates would be the official airline of the Ryder Cup match between the US holders and Europe in Wales.

Summarised weekend golf results

Leisure Lodge;  Lady Captain’s Prize:  Men’s Winner: Ronald Omariba 22 +19= 41, Amos Kamau 38, George Barbour 37, Wilson Atuka 35, Ladies’ Winner: Nancy Awuor 39, Sabine Funk 33, Royal; Biselex Golf Day: Winner: Jayant Jethwa 43 Points cb Timothy Kuria  43, Ha Young Kong 39 cb Mukesh Shah 39; Junior Winner: Amraj Dhadialla 31, Guest Winner: Brig. J. Muiruri 32 cb S. Waruhiu 32, Gross Winner: Joseah Kogo 74 gross, Senior Winner: M. Lalani : 36; Kiambu; January Monthly Mug: “A”Division D. Ndirangu 69 Nett, cb Ben Njuguna, (B) J.N. Gachuchu 71, (C) E. Kinyanjui 69, Overall Winner; E. Kinyanjui  69, cb David Ndirangu 69, Ben Njuguna 69, Lady Winner; Grace Githere 66, G.K. Athiru 80, Guest Winner; Maj. Gen. Oyugi 75; Nyahururu; Captain’s Prize (Ndegwa Wahome): Winner; T.G. Mundia 44, 2nd Dennis Kigundu 40, 3rd; S. Mwangi 37, 4th; J. Muiruri 36, Best Lady; Mrs L. Ng’ang’a 31, A. Kabugi 27,  Guest Winner; J. Gichinga 30, Best Gross; Peter King’ori  31; Muthaiga; The Naliaka Golf Academy Charity Golf: Winner; P. Muigai 39, cb S.G. Njoroge 39, 3rd;  P Serem 37 cb P. Mwai 37, Steve Njukia 37, Amos Kimunya 37, S.M. Otieno 37, Wachira Mahihu 37, Sunita Nathoo 36 cb Charles Gacheru 36; Nyali; Winners Medal: Men; Winner: Martin Rust 71 cb M. Esposito 71,  T. De Silva 71, Best Gross; G.M. Onyango 78, Subsidiary: Winner; William Kaguta  66, Charles Odoo 73; Ladies: Winner; Wambui Warui 72, Perviz Barnsley 74, Jane Mburu 76, Subsidiary: Patricia Cohen 78; Sigona; January Monthly Mug: Overall Winner; Mohit Mediratta 65 Nett, Sandesh Shah 68 cb Peter Kiguru 68, S. Shah 69, Monthly Mug; (A) Mohit Mediratta 65 Nett, (B) Milan Shah 69, (C) S W Lim 70; Machakos; Sonata Contractors Golf Day: Overall Winner; Anne Bett 44, Members; S.P. Bett 41, Bernard Mungata 40, Jennifer Mangu 39, Col. Mbithi 38, Guest; J.K. Bett 40, Col. Karung’o 39, D. Saikwa 36; Nines; Ruth Mumo 22, S.G. Mangu 23; Vet Lab; Medal of Medals, Sponsored by Flametree: Overall Winner; Jane Karuku 71 nett; Silver; Eunice Mpenda 72 nett, Mary Karano 74, Anne Thompson 75, Gross Winner; Kaye Mcillwaine 94; Bronze; Nelius Kariuki 72 nett, Wayua Mululu 73, Mercy Kebaara 75, Gross Winner; Bee Jones 98; Subsidiary; Margaret Wairimu 68 nett, Mary Wambugu 71, Florence Macharia 73, Guest; Mathew Kanyi 63 nett, Rohit Shah 71; Lady Guests; Elizabeth Ombati 70 nett, Jecinta Wambugu 83; Nakuru; Monthly Mug: Overall Winner; Ashok Patel 72 nett; R/up; Pancras Kuria 73nett; 3rd; Shillen Nanji 74nett; Muthaiga; Ag Printing Golf Day; Men’s Winner; Charles Ogallo 40, Lady Winner; Nancy Ndung’u 36, Guest Winner; J. Jandu 34, Men’s R/Up; Joel Mugo 38, 3rd; Jimmy Kihunah 38, Nines; Boniface Kariuki 22, Kumar Dhall 21, Junior Winner; Harshita Mullick 42