KGU says no to change in format of Kenya Golf Union Golfer of the Year tournaments
The annual Kenya Golf Union Golfer of the Year tournaments will take place on the dates originally announced with a 54-hole format. The news was made public on Friday morning in a press conference held in Nairobi.
Discussions were held between the club captains of the golf unions for a month, as they opposed the idea of a 54-hole layup in a tournament. There are 18 holes in each round of play and if the tournament stretches on for a three-day
series then it is called a 54-hole layup. All the captains unanimously decided that instead of 54 holes, a few of the selected tournaments should be whittled down to 34.
The reasoning presented by the captains was based on the notion that clubs were facing difficulties in getting sponsors for the GOTY tournaments, as the fields were restricted and the composition included a couple of handicap players.
If the tournaments were reduced to 34 holes, it would be easier and convenient for the clubs to get sponsorship. Moreover, most of the club members preferred playing in either one-day or maximum two round tournaments. If the rule was passed in their favour,
it would encourage maximum participation.
However, the management of the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) did not agree with the change and hammered the final schedule of the matches held under the GOTY banner.
GOTY is a committee in Kenya, which holds tournaments and there are 25 that are played under its aegis. Half of the 18 tournaments are laid over 54 holes, whereas, seven are 36-hole events. The Kenya Amateur Match-play Championship
and the Kenya Amateur Open Stroke-play Championship are the only two tournaments, which are a four-day affair.
Officials of GOTY said, “The tournaments held under the banner will take on their fixed dates and no change will be bought in their schedule. The final statement has been given and no further discussion will be held in future regarding
the tournaments schedule.”
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