Wanzala chances arms at Shs850m Kenya Open

KAMPALA.

The figures involved in this year’s 49th Barclays Kenya Open are mind boggling. There is a collective cash pot of €220,000 (Shs854m) for the 156 professionals in the mix at the 2017 European Challenge Golf Tour season opener.

The winner of the biggest golfing event in the region that tees off today at the par-71 Muthaiga Golf Club course in Nairobi, Kenya will pocket at least€35,200 (Shs136m) whereas any of the 60 professionals that makes a cut will be assured of taking home €682 (Shs2.6m).

For Uganda’s sole representative Fred Wanzala, who will be among the 15 debutantes at the event which is also the season opener for Road to Oman Challenge, any of the prizes will be amongst his career pay day.

But that dream will only become a reality if the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort-sponsored professional pulls off what no other Ugandan golfer has ever achieved – make the cut at the lucrative annual event.

Hardest bit
“I have done the hardest bit which is to work hard in practice. What remains is to play well, enjoy and ensure I am competitive,” said the 26-year-old after his round in the celebrity-filled Pro-Am event yesterday.

“My swing feels good and I am looking forward to a good four rounds of competitive golf. I am determined to break the jinx as the first Ugandan professional to make the cut. I draw my inspiration from the possibility that I could make some history.”

A strong field has assembled for the Challenge Tour’s season opener, featuring six former winners of this event, including defending champion Sebastian Soderberg. Players from 28 different countries will tee it up, including 28 Kenyans, one of whom, Jacob Okello, will be playing in the tournament for the 20th time.

Extra excitement surrounded the presence of footballing legend Jay-Jay Okocha, who took part in the pre-tournament Pro-Am and delighted the crowds by performing keepie-uppies with a golf ball before teeing off.