Race for Goty points starts at Sigona Club

The focus in the national golf scene shifts to Sigona Club in Kikuyu this week as the par-72 course hosts the 56th edition of the annual Sigona Bowl tournament beginning Friday.

The 54-hole event, sponsored for the 16th year by Kibo Sports Limited, is the first leg of the 18-event Golfer of The Year (Goty) series.

Played over two days, the first edition of Sigona Bowl was played in 1960, with K.G. Finlyson winning.

Last year’s event was won by national team player Nelson Simwa of Vet Lab Sports Club who shot three over par 219.

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This propelled him to win a number of other events thereafter to eventually finish second overall in the 2014 Goty series, behind Limuru’s John Karichu.

Both players are drawn on Friday for the first round which gets underway at 7am, followed by the second round in the afternoon.

The final 18 holes in this World Amateur Ranking event will follow on Saturday.

Besides defending champion Simwa and Goty champion Karichu, the field of 92 has attracted other top amateurs, including Uganda’s top amateur Willy Kitata.

Going by his plus five handicap, Vet Lab’s Simwa who last weekend teamed up with Robinson Owiti to win the Nairobi District Foursomes tournament at Muthaiga, will be the man to watch again.

Others include the men Simwa and Owiti  beat at Muthaiga — Karichu and his play-mate  Paul Muchangi, Railway’s Alfred Nandwa, William Odera from Kericho, Robinson Owiti and Royal’s Dennis Saikwa.

In addition from being the first Goty event, the Sigona Bowl is also important for players seeking to qualify for national team selection.

Friday's fixtures:

The 56th Sigona Bowl tournament: (Sponsored by Kibo Sports);

First round draw;

First Tee: 7.00 M. Kimemia, S Njung’e, J Gitonga;  7.08 N Kibuku, S Katere, Y Huang; 7.16 J Karichu, R Malde, P Kinuthia; 7.24  Q Bhatti, K Juma, J Karanja; 7.32  S Mulama, H Kamau, J Mbuthia; 7.40  J Mwangi, W Odera, K Bollo; 7.48 N Simwa, J Kariuki, P Mburu; 7.56  E Mogere, S Mburu, D Kimani; 8.04  R Owiti, J Kubwa, W Kitata (UG); 8.12  D.Saikwa, K Kimtai, A Modi; 8.20  B Omondi, J Mbugua, A Irungu; 8.28  G Mwaura, P Muigai, N Wachira; 8.36 A Nandwa, A Mohindra, S Shiv; 8.44  S Shah, R Kianga, E Wekesa; 8.52  S Mbugua, Eng Langat, Jay  J Kariuki; 9.00 P Njenga, J Barorot, Ano;

Tenth Tee: 7.00 W. Moturi, B Nzila, B.Njoroge; 7.08  J Dhanani, P Muchangi, P Mburu; 7.16  W Stogdale, J Gitonga, M Tanui; 7.24  M N Njoroge, P Kaguamba, A Chelogoi; 7.32  M Khimji, N Kamau, J Ichangi; 7.40 K Hong, J Tuwei, S Karari; 7.48  N Karanja, I Otuke, Dr M Kanjumba; 7.56  S Matharu, D Ongeri, N Mikala; 8.04 G Mwai, M Kisia, J Katitu; 8.12 K Tanna, N J Shah, D. Dailey; 8.20 A Kiuna, E Kalya, N Gakuo; 8.28 D Were, P Nyabuto, J Muriu; 8.36 J Njuguna, D Kimutai, I Makoha; 8.44 C Kibet, J Njoroge, L Magomere; 8.52 D Mukuria, A Kitur, E Omollo.