Former Team Kenya captain Dennis Maara will defend his Winston Churchill title at the par 72 Thika Sports Club in Kiambu County.
Maara beat the then KAGC champion John Lejirma and Elvis Muigua by a shot in six over par 222 for the title in the Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) Series event last year.
The event has attracted 112 golfers drawn from various clubs across the country and neighbouring Uganda. The former Limuru captain said he has the potential to defend the title in the three-day 54-hole tournament that tees off on Friday morning.
“I am ready to defend my title. I know it will not be easy but I will do my best,” said Maara.
The 2022 Kenya Amateur Match-play champion said his secret to winning is hitting on the greens with proper putting.
“I will give the event my best shot and I hope the combination of perfect putting and hitting the greens well will earn me the title,” he said.
Maara, who captained the national team for three years before handing over to Kenya Railways John Lejirma, believes he has what it takes to retain his title.
Maara will tee off at 11:49 am alongside Vet Lab’s Carl Wambasi and Golf Park’s Darren Chesumei.
Golf Park’s Josphat Rono, Thika Sports’ Paul Nduati and Ugandan Titus Okwong open the tees at 7:00 am.
Uganda will be represented by Joseph Kasozi from Kinyara Club, Andrew Ssekibejja (Serena), Mary Louis Simkins Memorial duo of Kakooza Abdallah, Dominic Musoke and Okwong.
KAGC series leader Elvis Muigua from Kiambu and defending champion Michael Karanga from Kiambu are also in the mix.
The event comes just days after the 99th edition of the Tannahill Shield tournament, where hosts Royal Nairobi reclaimed the title after five years.
