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East Africa: Golf - Nation Classic Action Moves to Thika
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The Nation (Nairobi)
25 April 2008
Posted to the web 25 April 2008
Ayumba Ayodi
Nairobi
The East African Nation Golf Classic action moves to Thika Sports Club Saturday for the Central qualifier that has attracted over 150 players drawn from five clubs.
Hosts Thika will provide the bulk of the players with Makuyu, Ruiru, Ndumberi and Kiambu also providing strong challengers. The Thika event is the fourth leg of the regional series after the Mount Kenya qualifier at Nanyuki Golf Club on February 9, Central Rift on February 23 at Nakuru Golf Club and Karen on April 5.
The top six performers at the Thika tournament will get a chance to play in the Nation Golf Classic grand finale set for Muthaiga Golf Club on November 7. Dismas Indiza holed a brilliant second round of five-under 65 but failed to sway home player David Odhiambo, who clung on to the KCB Pro-Am Tour lead with three strokes at Nyanza Golf Club Thursday.
Mumias Sugar's Indiza hauled an eagle on par-four the ninth hole just after birding the first and the fifth holes. However, he dropped a shot on par-four fourth for three under par 32 on first nine. He then staged a flawless second nine of two-under 33 with birdies on 14th and 15th but his first round of three-over 73 on Wednesday saw him placed sixth on two-under 138. Indiza stayed four strokes behind leader Odhiambo, who slackened for a second round of one-under 69 a day after he holed a sublime five-under 65. His overnight total of six-under 134 gave him a three-stroke advantage of Golf Park's Jacob Okello and Nicholas Rokoine on three-under 138 apiece.
Both Okello and Rokoine played identical rounds of 69 and 68 respectively to stay ahead of Indiza, Ali Kimani, Anil Shah and Kopan Timbe. Kimani fired an impressive second round of four-under 66 that preceded a 72 while after a flying start of four-under 66, Shah dropped six strokes to score 72 Thursday. Timbe had steady play to bring one-under 69 in each round. Charan Thethy is on 140, Richard Ainley 141, Riz Charania 143, Simon Ngigi 143, David Wakhu 144, James Lorum 146, Charles Yu 147, Peter Njiru 148, Elisha Kasuku 150 and S. Ndegwa 157. Though playing under perfect weather, most players struggled with their putting. A confident Odhiambo believes that victory is imminent for him. "I am playing well though my putting proved tricky," said Odhiambo.
The winner will get eight points for the series and a purse of Sh75,600. As the professionals go through their strides, amateurs and aspiring golfers will get a chance to practice and learn from the big boys during a golfing clinic set for Friday afternoon.
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Elisha Kasuku, the tournament director, said there was a lot to be learnt from professionals and he encouraged amateurs to embrace the opportunity and learn.
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