Nation Classic battle moves to 'front course'
Said Hamada tees off at the 10th hole during a past 2016 Nation Media Group Golf Challenge at Nyali Golf and Country Club. PHOTO | FILE |
What you need to know:
- Those in high and middle level handicaps likely to dominate, but watch out for single handicap players too.
- Fifth leg of series to be staged at Mombasa Golf Course for the first time ever.
The Nation Golf Classic heads to the coast this weekend for the third leg at the Mombasa Golf Club course along Mama Ngina Drive in Mombasa.
This is the first time that the century-old club, popularly known as the "front course" will host a fully fledged Nation Classic tournament.
The Classic will be highlight of number of activities in the County of Mombasa this weekend involving Nation Media Group including an NTV Road Shows, a football match, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) event.
On the Road Show, NTV will show some of its popular programmes such as the “Trend”, “Top Sport” and “Crossover” from Friday until Sunday when NTV coast fans will have the opportunity of meeting some of the broadcasters.
In the CSR, the Nation will distribute text books at Shika Adabu Primary in Likoni Constituency.
Six or so years ago, the Nation sponsored a “club nite” at the front course that followed the main event at Nyali Golf and Country which has hosted most of the Nation events over the years.
Coming after the first two events at Nakuru and Nyahururu, this weekend’s tournament has attracted a field of 133 golfers including 32 guests and eight NMG staff who will be led by group chairman Wilfred Kiboro.
The guests include a strong team from Nyahururu Sports Club who have been the biggest supporters of the Nation Classic series over the years.
The team is led by club captain Samuel Munyua and includes some of the club’s top golfers such as Simon Ngugi, a past captain who was also the winner of the Nation event in Nyahururu a month ago.
Others are veteran Gabriel Wanguhu, Boniface Waikwa and lady captain Susan Gitebi. Vying for the staff prize besides group chairman, will be human resources director David Kiambi and Nation broadcasting managing director Alex Kobia.
The event is open to all the clubs in the Coast region, though being the hosts, Mombasa and Nyali are providing most of the players. The Mombasa captain will lead the field from 7am.
Being a stableford scoring event, those in the high and middle level handicaps are likely to dominate the prize list though one can’t write off some of the single figure handicap players such as Kenya Golf Union Coast representative Gurbux Singh, Leisure Lodge’s Ali Chikumbo, Nyali’s Charles Rob, Symon Wambugu, Dominic Makau, Martin Wahome and Ben Mureithi among many others.
Going for the ladies top prize will be Florence Karimi, Joyce Masai, Sue Mwangi, lady captain Mary Mariga, Christine Ockotch and Jane Githere, who early this year became the first lady chairman of the club in its 107 years history.
Elsewhere, the nine-hole Machakos Golf Club will host the ICDC golf tournament which has attracted a field of 150 golfers. This is the first time ICDC is sponsoring an event at the popular Machakos Golf Club whose course is in an excellent condition.
Club chairman Swarn Singh and captain Musembi Katuku are still accepting more golfers in the event which comes soon after another major tourney, the Konza Metropolis. Teeing off will begin from 7am.
At Kiambu Golf Club, it will be the ladies turn this weekend following last weekend’s Fresha Golf Day.
A field of 100 players was drawn for the Ladies Open (Craig Bowl) sponsored by Vivo Energy, Woodcreek School and Pathway International. Muthaiga Golf Club will meanwhile host the Crown Paints series which has attracted a huge field.
