By sportsnewsarena correspondent
Feb 09, 2015
More than 16 countries are expected in Nairobi when Kenya, for the first time hosts the Africa Amateur Golf Team Championship from 12-16 October 2015 at Limuru Country Club
Among the countries that have previously hosted the championship include, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Namibia and Egypt.
Last year the event was held in Swaziland and the following countries participated, South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Swaziland, Botswana, Mozambique, Mauritius, Reunion Island, Uganda and Namibia.
At this tournament, Kenya’s line-up made up of Robbinson Owiti, John Karichu, Tony Omuli, and junior player Daniel Nduva finished fifth.
Africa Amateur Golf Team Championship (AAGTC), a biennial golf tournament which attracts countries from Africa was first inaugurated in 2001 in South Africa. It has grown into the Major of amateur golf in Africa.
The AAGTC is well supported and partially sponsored by the Royal and Ancient and with the support from the African nations, has grown exponentially over the last decade. The event remains one of the most prestigious event in Africa.
East Africa Golf Federation members have been approached to also participate in this event. The main aim of having these championships is to help motivate players and also attract more potential golfers all over Africa and the world at large.
The AAGTC is played in Eisenhower Format. Each team consists of four players, but only the best three scores per round will count toward the team total. The country with the lowest gross score at the end of the championship will be crowned the AAGTC champion and there is also a prize for the overall individual winner.
Entries are only open to any amateur with an official handicap, and are a member of a Golf Club affiliated to a Union recognized by the African Golf Confederation. The competition is played over 72 holes stroke-play format.
Kenya Golf Union has partnered with Limuru Country Club to ensure a success of this tournament. The Club is one of the clubs affiliated to Kenya Golf Union and is situated about 38Km from Nairobi.
Most scenic golf course
Limuru's eighteen hole course is widely regarded as the most scenic in Kenya with one of the best club house veranda views in Africa. At seven thousand feet altitude and set amidst the famous local tea plantations and rolling farmlands, Limuru will obviously provide a unique hole-by-hole challenge to all the players.
The Kenya Golf Union has set up an organizing committee to be chaired by David Nyakang’o to work with Limuru Country Club in organizing all the logistics of the event as well as mobilizing resources to ensure success of the event Kenya was one of eight countries nominated as the best golfing destinations.
But for a country that has long struggled to broaden its tourism offerings beyond the safaris, and to uplift its image above that of mass-market destination, golf tourism represents a fresh diversification of Kenya’ tourism products.
“We intend to maximize on this event and ensure that our visitors will yearn to come back after the event. There are eight ‘Export-ready’ golf courses, meaning they’re appropriate for international golf travelers. These include among others Limuru country club which will host the tournament,” KGU officials said.
Kenya has a number of golf features already in its favor, beginning with its suitable weather; long days of comfortable temperatures and plenty of sunshine make for almost year-round golfing.
The hospitality infrastructure is already well established, including hotels, airlines and ground transportation. This tournament is expected to market Kenya as top golf tourist destination in Africa.
