Junior golf programme remains the only way to secure the future of the game of golf in the country according to newly elected Kenya Golf Union (KGU) chairman Ben Omuodo.
And KGU, the country’s national golf organization intends to maintain singular focus on Junior Golf, by endeavouring to spread the game to the grassroots.
This will be achieved through getting coaching assistance from Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK), and at the same time inaugurate the National Golf Academy, advance the development of the Lenana School Golf Course while at the same time exploit the introduction of Golf curriculum in public schools and embed the game into university institutions.
These are some of the programmes that Omuodo intends to carry out with the assistance of his executive during the 2020/21 golfing season.
Young golfers at a junior golf clinic at the Muthaiga Golf Club in June 2019.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
In his acceptance speech after being elected unopposed to lead the KGU council during the Annual General Meeting held at Muthaiga Golf Club on Friday, Omuodo paid tribute to outgoing chairman Anthony Murage for reinforcing corporate governance in the union by introducing and ensuring efficiency in the manner that the union's affairs have been run.
“You empowered the Sub-Committees and, in the process, optimized their output; you have tirelessly led the Union and indeed the total golfing fraternity through these unprecedented times of the Novel Coronavirus pandemic. On behalf of the Governing Council of the Union, I thank you most sincerely,’’ said Omuodo.
The new KGU boss says the prime objectives of the Union are to advance, promote and safeguard the interest of the game of golf in Kenya, and to act as the National Representative of all Golf Clubs, a cause he says the union remains unwavering and fully committed.
“Going forward, together with the Executive Committee, and the existing Covid-19 pandemic protocols allowing, I will now be able to embark on a review of the Strategic Plan, to ensure that the Union programs remain on course and to bring to the same page all stakeholders.’’
Ben Omuodo follows the progress of his tee shot from the 10th tee during GEC Open Kenya 2016 in partnership with Sports Connect Africa on September 30, 2016 at Windsor Golf and Country Club.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Omuodo also paid tribute to the visionary men who founded the union 92 years ago, men like J.D. Leonard, Arthur Tannahill, W.T.Shapley and F.S. Dunn, as well as the past chairmen who have steered the union over the years.
The new chairman, who said he will work towards the actualization of the World Handicapping System, a laudable replacement of the tried and tested CONGU, also thanked his home club Royal Nairobi Golf Club, Kenya’s oldest golf club, for having supported him over the years as he endeavoured to develop the game of golf in his capacity as an official of the union.
Elected also unopposed as the vice chairman is Peter Kiguru of Sigona Golf Club who had been serving as the treasurer while the new treasurer is Njani Nderitu who was also unopposed as well. Before the election, Nderitu was serving as an executive committee member.
Traditionally, outgoing chairman Anthony Murage will remain in the council until the next election in 2021 as the “immediate-past’’ chairman. Meanwhile Kenya Air Force Golf Club’s George Gathu who had been acting secretary, clinched the post after a hotly contested election between him and Thika Sports Club’s Ndiga Kithae.
Gathu managed 59 percent of the votes from the 90 delegates who participated in the meeting online, while Kithae managed 58 percent. Philip Ocholla of Muthaiga, David Ndung'u (Limuru), Fr Peter Kimani (Ruiru), Karugu Macharia (Windsor) were re-elected back as executive committee members and were joined by Collins Ojiambo of Karen and Njoro Country Club’s Chris Muchugu.
Failing to capture a place in the committee was Kiambu’s Martin Nyaga who managed only 59 percent of the votes.
Of the others, Ocholla and Ojiambo had 92 percent each, Ndungu 85, Fr Kimani 81, and Muchugu and Macharia 76 and 75 respectively. Before the election, a resolution for the union to conduct its meeting virtually in the future was passed. Also approved was the accounts report for the year 2019 presented by outgoing treasurer Peter Kiguru.
