Hosts Kenya optimistic of epic outings

All eyes will be on local players as the 56th edition of the Magical Kenya open Golf Championships tees off this morning at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club.

The locals this time received an increased slot with the late inclusions of CJ Wangai and Zimbabwe’s Robson Chinhoi by the organisers.

“We have an updated entry list for the 2023 Magical Kenya Opel golf that includes CJ  Wangai and Robson Chinhoi after the withdrawal of Daan Huizing and Andrew Johnston,” the tournament’s General Manager Vincent Wang’ombe told People Sport.

Team Kenya now consisting 15 players lined up for this year’s showpiece, have a chance to shine on home turf at least according national team captain, amateur Dennis Maara.

The Limuru Country Club golfer sounded confident that a home player could go high up in the tournament this year. No Kenyan has won the competition so far.

“This year we have seen better preparedness from Kenya Golf Union in terms of accessibility to professional staff like coaches and medical personnel. At the same time at least for some of us, we got high calibre tournaments which ultimately exposed us. After what we saw Njoroge Kibugu do last year, that was a good bar set for all of us and I am sure we can always go and match that or even go better,” said the 2022 Kenya Match Play winner.

Njoroge Kibugu the only Kenyan to make the cut last year will be involved in a sibling rivalry with his elder brother Mutahi Kibugu who failed to qualifier for last year’s event, but is among the professionals taking part at this year’s tourney.

Maara also believes there is more cool heads and composure in camp from Kenya Team given the fact that a lot of support has been accorded to them by the Tournament Organizers.

“ We expect a tough tournament but nevertheless we have an prepared.Perhaps the only worry could be the wind influence otherwise we have trained in similar conditions recently in Durban and Mombasa so we will definitely learn to adjust Otherwise the heat is similar to last year but the course looks good so far from my assessment. The Pros and Amateurs too are raring to go so for us it is all about performance in front of our crowd,” he added.

Late inclusion CJ Wangai will be the first Kenyan to tee off, setting the ball rolling with the first group comprising of Spain’s Borja Virto and Englishman Tom Murray at 7.10am from the first tee.

Samuel Njoroge will be the second local off the tee at 7.20am and Greg Snow begins his campaign at 7.30am.

The 628th ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking has also commended the Organizers on introducing a Sports Psychologist to help address mind strength for Players.”As we know modern sport is all about mental strength so this year we have access to a key person in that area We are really thankful to KOGL and KGU for helping through in that regard.”

Young ace Njoroge Kibugu on his part sounded upbeat ahead of the tournament and rallied his countrymen to come good “Training has been great and for me I have worked a lot on strokes and putting so that I can overall improve.

I expect a great competition this year and also hope to see as many Kenyan players as possible making the cut,”he said.

Meanwhile veteran golfer Dismus Indiza of Mumias Golf Club is ruing lack of enough proper tournaments but believe it is his time to win the tournament. “I might not have won any tournaments in the Safari Tour but I can utilize my experience and my understanding of the course to do well.

Personally it has been a bit tricky and frustrating for the last four years missing out on Savannah Classic,Safari Tour and the Kenya Open but I try to look at the positives.I believe I am mentally prepared and I have been hitting a lot of balls at the range so that should help. The course also looks great but dry,however I know the groundsmen will do a great job before we hit play,” offered Indiza.