One hundred and fifty six professional golfers from Europe, Africa and other parts of the world are expected to take part the 46th Barclays Kenya Open Golf Championship that will take place on March 6-9 at the Karen Country Club, in Nairobi, Kenya.
“There will be a total of 156 participants that is 106 players from the Challenge Tour membership who can be from anywhere in the world and 50 players will be invited by myself,” Patrick Obath, the tournament director of this prestigious tournament said in an e-mail. “Of these there will be 22 pros and six amateurs from Kenya and the rest from anywhere in the world but predominantly Africa.”
Last year Uganda was represented by Deo Akope and Herman Mutawe, who failed to make the cut to the top prize this year three Ugandan amateurs will be taking in the Pro-Am event that swings into action on March 5 at Karen Club and Muthaiga Club they include Henry Lujja from Entebbe Club, Joseph Mawejje from Uganda Golf Club and Kenneth Kaheru, from Jinja Golf Club.
A total of 150 golfers at Karen and Muthaiga will be battling to break into the professional circuit.
This year’s prize 200,000 Euros(sh664m) and with the cut going to the top sixty and the ties. Last year’s winner is Spain’s Jordi Garcia Pinto, who will not return to defend his title.
The title sponsor is Barclays Bank of Kenya and other key sponsors are Coca Cola, Kenya Breweries, Safaricom, Transcentury, CCK and Toyota Kenya Ltd.
A total of 40 local journalists and 20 from the world will cover the world event which is a European Challenger Tournament.