Kenya Open: Local players to exploit homeground advantage
Team Kenya trio of Dismas Indiza, Eric Obura and Mohit Medirata are confident homeground advantage will count for something in this year’s Magical Kenya Open.
The tournament that begins next Thursday at the Muthaiga Golf Club has attracted 156 players including eight Kenyan professionals.
The locals have been sharpening their skills at the driving range and the greens with a lot of emphasis on putting, driving and chipping.
On a day that saw the Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed visit the facility and launch the revamped bridge, at least seven players were on the course hard at work.
Speaking on the sidelines of his tee practice, Kenya’s top professional Indiza has welcomed the switch to Muthaiga Golf Club for the tournament dubbing it a good challenge.
“My training has been good so far and I am happy to be back to Muthaiga after a while. Karen is easy and predictable but here it looks nice and the course is just perfect. So we have made good practice here and for me it is all about sharpening my play.
For some of us it would help a great deal if we got sponsorship so that we could have many tournaments to prepare. Regardless, we are ready for the challenge and we look forward to a good tournament,” he said!
As Medirata who is stationed at Sigona Golf Club, his three tournaments prior have been helpful at least to his development.
High level
“The few events this year in the lead up to the forthcoming Magical Kenya Open have been great. I am feeling very powerful and strong because I have spent time in the gymnasium working on my power.
Safari Tour was actually good in preparing me for the tournament ahead and for now it is about working on my all-round game. I feel tournament ready and mentally strong.”
Obura of Golf Park is, however, wary of being too overconfident but is assured that being at home and familiar with the course will count for something.
“I am happy with my preparations and I feel good here. So I cannot be so much focused on a good run at the past tournaments that may not count for anything because this is a higher level tournament.”
