• Kenya’s best performing golfer at the just concluded Magical Kenya Open Simon Ngige is looking to up his ante by featuring in a few rounds of the prestigious Sunshine Tour.
Image: OLIVER MORGAN
Kenya’s best performing golfer at the just concluded Magical Kenya Open Simon Ngige is looking to up his ante by featuring in a few rounds of the prestigious Sunshine Tour.
Following an impressive event with a total of 5 under, the Thika Sports Club professional says he will play in a series of tournaments to try and sharpen his skills ahead of the next Kenya Open.
The Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa made its debut in the elite European Tour.
Ngige and his Great Rift Valley counterpart Justus Madoya were the only Kenyans who made the cut after the first two rounds as 18 local players fell by the wayside.
“My performance this year is quite encouraging. I hope to up my game with a few rounds in the Sunshine Tour prior to Karen Masters in June. It’s only by playing in such big events that Kenyans can withstand the demanding nature of Kenya Open’s new status. A lot is now at stake in the European Tour. Hopefully, Kenyans will up their game with the priceless exposure. Kenyans are talented but they will need to raise the bar higher on the mental aspect of the game and indeed stick to their game plan,” said Ngige.
Ngige will play in Zanaco Masters at the Lusaka Golf Club before heading to the Royal Harare Golf Club for the Old Mutual Zimbabwe Open.
The Zambian round of the Sunshine Tour starts on April 12 while the Harare tournament tees off on April 19.
Ngige also plans to partake the Mopani Redpath Zambia Open at the ‘18 Nkana Golf Club later next month.
After the Zim-Zam tour, Ngige also hopes to grace the Investec Royal Swazi Open at the Royal Swazi Spa Country Club.
The Royal Swazi Spa Country Club will play host to four Sunshine Tour events after which the Kenyan round, the KCB Karen Masters, will return to the Par 71 Karen Country Club.
“I am overly excited with my Sunshine Tour participation. I have reached out to the organisers and they will soon confirm my invitation. At the moment, I am taking a short break before returning to the range to perfect my swing.”
A superb birdie chip off the edge of the 18th green saw Ngige end his 2019 Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship campaign with a round of 69 for a tournament total of 5-under 279 to see him finish joint 25th.
He carded a total of 33 on the first nine courtesy of birdies at the par-3 second, the par-5, sixth and the par-4, seventh; with his only dropped shot at the first nine coming at the par-3 fourth.
On the back nine, he shot a lone bogey at the par-5, 11th and holed the incredible birdie at the 18th to card a total of 36.
Speaking after the round, Ngige said he was pleased with his performance, adding that he now looks forward to playing at more tournaments.
“I had a lot of fun on the course and loved the fact that there were fans around me who made me feel comfortable.
The golf course was in great shape and the wind wasn’t as severe as it has been through the week; so generally, it was a good day for me,” he said.