Indiza leads record field for Diani Masters
What you need to know:
Diani Beach Masters golf tournament is one of the most celebrated Pro-Amateur golf events in the country. The 2018 edition is set for this weekend at the par 72 Leisure Lodge Beach and Golf Resort Diani
Leisure Lodge golf manager John Davis said although the current entry of 120 amateurs and 38 pros was big enough, he will not stop any golfer from playing if he will have sent his name by the time the draw is done
Leading the field of the 38 pros--who include Zimbabwe’s Mohammed and Kayyam Mandhu, Tanzania-based Zimbabwean Farayi Chitengwa--will be the long-hitting Dismas Indiza who fired an impressive 10 under par 274 at the par 71 Entebbe Golf Club Uganda, to claim his fifth Uganda Open title
A record field is expected in this year’s Diani Beach Masters golf tournament, one of the most celebrated Pro-Amateur golf events in the country whose 2018 edition is set for this weekend at the par 72 Leisure Lodge Beach and Golf Resort Diani.
By the close of business Monday, the entry deadline, a total of 120 amateurs and 38 professionals had been listed for the event which was once turned into a “Golfer of The Year’’ event, before it reverted back to its original Pro-Am status in 2016 thanks to Prime Bank which has been sponsoring it since then.
Leisure Lodge golf manager John Davis said although the current entry of 120 amateurs and 38 pros was big enough, he will not stop any golfer from playing if he will have sent his name by the time the draw is done.
“Our aim is to have a field that we are able to manage well and make sure that every player is able to play and finish on time. But we will not stop any golfer who will have sent his name before we do the draw," said Davis who confirmed that the course is currently in an excellent condition but still challenging enough.
“We have been having rains over the past few weeks so the fairways are looking great and I believe golfers will enjoy good golfing this year," added the veteran professional.
Of the big amateur field, Machakos Golf Club has entered the highest number of players, more than the hosting club Leisure Lodge. Davis said a total of 37 names were received from Machakos alone, while others like Royal, Railway, Golf Park, have six players each while from the Coast, Mombasa has entered 15 players. Six will be representing Nyali.
Those coming from Machakos include the club’s elite players such as Jackson Nzioki playing off handicap four and James Ndunda(4). Among the top amateurs from the Nairobi based clubs include Railway’s Samuel Njoroge with the Royal entry having players like the handicap two Kevin Juma.
The Great Rift Valley Resort’s Simon Njogu who finished second behind Limuru’s John Karichu in last weekend’s Kabete Open is among those who have also confirmed participation and so is Dar es Salaam Gymkhana club’s Victor Joseph who has been a regular player in Kenya’s top amateur events.
Leading the field of the 38 pros--who include Zimbabwe’s Mohammed and Kayyam Mandhu, Tanzania-based Zimbabwean Farayi Chitengwa--will be the long-hitting Dismas Indiza who fired an impressive 10 under par 274 at the par 71 Entebbe Golf Club Uganda, to claim his fifth Uganda Open title.
The list also includes defending champion Simon Ngige of Thika Sports Club who claimed the top of prize of Sh110,000 despite a poor final round score. Like last year, the pros will be battling it out for a total prize purse of Sh1 million shillings.
