Grand 90th Tannahill for Easter
PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO Coca-Cola general manager, Peter Njonjo, tees off to launch the Tannahill shield in January. This year’s tournament will be held at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club.
What you need to know:
- Nine clubs confirm participation, avail list of participating players in tourney
After weeks of preparation, all the nine teams featuring in this year’s Tannahill Shield have finally announced the names of their participating teams.
This year’s tournament, which marks its 90th year, and that is being sponsored by Coca-Cola’s Dasani, is set to begin on Friday at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club.
Each club or team will be represented by eight players and two reserves, making a contingent of 10 players, with most of the teams being accompanied by their club officials.
The clubs being represented in this year’s Tannahill Shield, also known as the ‘Easter Tournament’, will be hosts, Royal, Mombasa, defending champions, Muthaiga, Limuru, Sigona, Windsor, Railway, Karen, and Western, whose team is drawn from most of the Western Kenya clubs.
For the purpose of the Tannahill Shield, Western Kenya begins from Naivasha.
During last year’s tournament, only eight teams participated since Windsor had been relegated and was replaced by Railway, while the ninth team, Vet Lab, was not invited following their last minute withdrawal from the event last year.
Impressive teams
This will be the first time in many years, and particularly since Windsor was established, that a Windsor team will be in action besides that from Railway. Over the past two decades, Windsor and Railway have always avoided each other through on account of relegation.
Going by the line-ups released during the weekend by hosting captain, Jack Okuku, both hosts, Royal, and the defending champions are, like is their tradition, fielding strong teams.
Royal has brought in two junior golfers, Joshua Ichangi and Peter Muigai. Also joining the Royal team is Jonathan Chebukati, formerly of the Nyali Golf Club.
Last year, Royal produced a final round fireworks, picking up 14 points to finish just a point behind Muthaiga who won with 45 points.
Another team to watch this year will be Limuru, who, on paper, seem to have the strongest side, which includes Golfer Of The Year leader, John Karichu, former national team captain, Francis Kimani, Paul Muchangi, long hitter, Simon Mwangi, and the Alibhai brothers, Farsheed and Nadeem.
