Indiza Reigns As Snow Melts In Karen, Kenya Open Line-Up Unveiled
27th February 2019
Long-hitting Mumias golfer chalks first Safari Tour victory in Karen as Ministry of Tourism rolls out the line-up of 12 pro and six local amateurs for European Tour event
- Speaking after the round, Indiza said it was great to finally win a leg of the Safari tour, adding that it was special to win it at Karen a course that he is familiar with
- It was however at the back nine where Snow melted, hitting bogeys at the 11th, 17th and 18th coupled by a triple bogey at the par-4 13th, to see him return a back nine score of 7-over par, 43 for a total round score to 7-over par 78, to finish second overall
- The Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary hailed the prominent role that sports has played in raising Kenya’s global profile as a destination, citing the exploits of individuals such as Eliud Kipchoge who broke the world marathon record at the 2018 Berlin Marathon as a major boost to Kenya’s recognition on the world map
NAIROBI, Kenya- After a string of second place finishes, it was finally time for Mumias based Dismas Indiza to celebrate at the end of the Karen Country Club leg of the Safari Tour on Wednesday evening, after returning a score of 3-over par 74 in the final round to win the leg.
At the same time, the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife unveiled the 2019 Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship local golfers who will be part of a deep field of 156 where the hosts will be represented by 12 professionals and six elite amateurs in the European Challenge Tour event.
Speaking after the round, Indiza said it was great to finally win a leg of the Safari tour, adding that it was special to win it at Karen a course that he is familiar with.
“I am delighted to finally win a leg of the Safari Tour, I have come close several times and it is special that I have won it here at Karen, a course that I am very fond of. It is great that I have won and I hope to take this momentum into the Magical Kenya Open," the long-hitter gushed.
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Indiza's joy came at the expense of overall series winner Greg Snow who had a morning to forget, returning a round's score of 7-over par 78. Overnight leader Greg Snow, started the round in good form, completing the first nine holes with a par score of 35, after a hitting a bogey at the par-4 3rd and a birdie at the par-4 7th.
It was however at the back nine where Snow melted, hitting bogeys at the 11th, 17th and 18th coupled by a triple bogey at the par-4 13th, to see him return a back nine score of 7-over par, 43 for a total round score to 7-over par 78, to finish second overall.
On the first nine, Indiza dropped shots on the par-4, first and par-4 3rd before quickly recovering with birdies on the fifth, seventh and ninth holes to return a front nine score of 1-over par 36.
The hard hitter did well to hold his nerve through what was a challenging back nine on the day, to return a respectable score of 2-over par, 38, for a total round score of 3-over par 74.
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Thika Sports Club's, Simon Ngige finished third on the overall leader board, two shots behind Greg snow with a score of 6-over par, Ngige shot a round of par-71 to take advantage of the slide by the players who had started the day above him.
Tourism ans Wildlife Cabinet Secretary, Najib Balala (Centre) and Sports, Culture & Heritage Chief Administrative Secretary, Noor Hassan Noor (Centre left) unveil the team of pro & elite amateurs that will represent Kenya at the 2019 Magical Kenya Open on February 27, 2018. PHOTO/Courtesy
Remaining slots
Uganda's Philip Kasozi and Great Rift Valley's Justus Madoya claimed two of the three remaining slots to the 2019 Magical Kenya Open, after finishing in the top two slots outside the nine who made the cut to play after the Windsor leg of the Safari Tour. Kasozi played an impressive round of 2-under par 69 on the day, to finish fourth on the overall leader board with a score of 7-over par 291, two ahead of Madoya.
Royal Golf Club's Eric Ooko claimed the final spot after beating Jacob Okello at a play off on the 7th, 8th and 9th holes, after the two had finished the day tied on an overall score of 12-over par. Ooko played a birdie-par-birdie to beat Okello who returned scores of par-bogey-par.
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Meanwhile, Nyali Golf and Country Club's Daniel Nduva emerged top elite amateur, taking home the tournament’s Silver Salver, with a score of 11-over par, to place him tied for 8th on the overall leader board.
Attention now shifts to the Kenya Open, set to take place at the Karen Country Club, from March 14 to 17.
The pros unveiled at a colourful ceremony at the Nairobi National Park were Snow of Muthaiga Golf Club, Indiza of Mumias, Opati of Windsor Golf and Country Club, Rizwan Charania of Windsor Golf and Country Club, David Wakhu and Tony Omuli of Golf Park Golf Club, C.J. Wangai of Sigona Golf Club, Nelson Simwa of Vet Lab Sports Club, Simon Ngige of Thika Golf Club, Erick Ooko of Royal Nairobi Golf Club, Justus Madoya of Great Rift Valley Golf Resort and Philip Kasozi of Uganda Golf Club.
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The elite amateur golfers who were unveiled were Nduva of Nyali Golf and Country Club, Samuel Njoroge of Railway Golf Club, Mutahi Kibugu of Muthaiga Golf Club, Edwin Mudanyi of Vet Lab Sports Club, Mike Kisia also of Vet Lab Sports Club and Bradley Mogire of Emirates Golf Club.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Najib Balala said: “As a Ministry, we are proud to unveil the Kenyan Pros and elite amateurs that will represent Kenya at the 2019 Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship which is set to provide exposure to Kenya as a preferred golf tourism destination both on the local and international scene.”
The Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary hailed the prominent role that sports has played in raising Kenya’s global profile as a destination, citing the exploits of individuals such as Eliud Kipchoge who broke the world marathon record at the 2018 Berlin Marathon as a major boost to Kenya’s recognition on the world map.
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Kenya's team of Golf Pros and Elite Amateurs unveiled at the Nairobi National Park on February 27, 2019. PHOTO/Courtesy