Philip Shiharsy returns to action at the Coronation Trophy, the Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) series at the par 73 Nakuru Golf Club this weekend.
The Kitale golfer will be joined by six foreign players and a host of top amateurs in the chase for points in the three-day tournament, which tees off on Friday morning.
“I am done with my preparations and I feel fit enough. This will be my first tournament since I lost my dad,” said Shiharsy.
He wants to improve his 11th-place finish at his home tournament, the Trans Nzoia Open, where he posted +12 231 in a tournament won by national team captain John Lejirma with -10 209.
“This will be my second meeting after the Trans Nzoia Open and I expect to perform well,” he said.
The Nakuru tournament has attracted six foreign players led by Rwandese international Felix Dusabe, who will seek to go one better after falling to Lejirma in the playoff final of the Ronald Marshall tournament in Njoro two weeks ago.
The Kigali-based Dusabe will tee off at 8:40 am alongside John Michael of Kiambu and Vet Lab’s Krish Shah.
His compatriot, Ndindabahizi Didas, will be at the tee box at 7:50 am alongside Ugandan Andrew Ssekibejja of Serena Club and James Kimani from Vet Lab.
Ssekibejja is in the company of Ibrahim Bagalana and Joseph Cwinyaai. Bagalana, of Uganda Golf Club, will tee off at 11:10 am alongside Kenya Railways’ Lejirma and Vet Lab’s Tom Chirchir.
Cwinyaai, also from Uganda Golf Club, will start his campaign at 11:30 am alongside Mercy Nyanchama from Njoro and Diana Mbuba of Kenya Railways.
India’s Mitansh Thacker will tee off at 8:50 am in the company of Solomon Majanga and Javan Kiumu.
The amateurs will seek to dethrone champion Michael Karanga, who returns to local action in search of a maiden victory this season.
Lejirma and Elvis Muigua have dominated the season.
Karanga fired -7 214 to be crowned the champion, beating Ebill Omollo (227) and Dennis Maara (227).
