Hunt for Kenya Open golf slots moves to Karen

The hunt for slots in this year’s Barclays Kenya Open switches to Karen Country Club’s par 72 course on Monday afternoon for the third leg of the three-event Kenya Open qualifying series.

At least 33 professionals including those who made the cut during last year’s open, will be battling it out for the 12 slots plus some cash prizes.

Last year, Dismas Indiza from Mumias Golf Club, Vet Lab’s Brian Njoroge and Mathew Omondi from Sigona made it to the money list hence do not need to pre-qualify for the 2016 Open scheduled for March 17 to 20 at Karen.

Also already qualified for the Open from last year’s KCB Golf Tour Order of Merit are Greg Snow (Muthaiga), Simon Ngige (Thika), David Odhiambo (Nyanza), Erick Ooko (Royal), Boniface Simwa (Eldoret), Richard Ainley (Nakuru) and Njuguna Ngugi (Railway).

STARTING LIST

That means a total of 22 professionals will be on the starting list of this year’s Kenya Open which is the first event this season in the European Challenge Tour series.

So far, Vet Lab’s Nelson Simwa leads with a total of 46 points in the Open qualifying events after the first two tournaments held at Sigona and Limuru.

He collected 22 points in the first leg and 24 in the Limuru leg. Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) captain John Wangai who won his home leg (Sigona), is in second place with 43 points having made 23 and 20. He is tied in that position with Royal Nairobi’s David Wakhu.  Muthaiga’s Frank Matilo is in fourth place on 42 points.

Among those who are placed in the top 12 after the two events are James Karanja, Ally Orende, Tony Omuli, Nelson Mudanyi, Sullivan Muthugia, Joseph Karanja, David Opati and Jacob Okello.