Ngige outlines Kenya Open preps

Thika Golf Club’s Simon Ngige is stepping up preparations for next year's Magical Kenya Open and has his sight set on picking his first victory of the 2021/22 qualifying series in Uganda. 

The Safari Tour series heads to Uganda on 2 December for the fifth leg at the Entebbe Golf Club and Ngige who is second on the series' log is banking on his experience playing on the course to grab his first win.

"I have been on the range and played some events since the fourth leg in Mombasa but I am starting my training on Monday, specifically aimed at getting ready for Uganda Open,"

I have played severally on that course and I know it well and what to expect of it. Its greens are different from what we have in my home course so I will be having a few sessions at the Ruiru Golf course or Kiambu as the greens there are similar to the Entebbe course," offered Ngige. 

The Thika resident golfer is second on the Safari Tour 'Road to Magical Kenya Open' order of merit at 213.6 points. The list is headlined by Mumias' hard hitter Dismas Indiza at 218.5 points with Zimbabwe’s Robson Chinhoi third at 194.1 points. 

Ngige began the 2022 Kenya Open qualification Tour with a 108.6 points advantage drawn from ten percent and 20 percent of the last two editions of the Tour respectively. 

At the series-Open Sigona, he finished tied eighth at two over-par 290 after carding four rounds of 70,73, 74 and 73 to tie with Indiza and pick 34 points in the event won by amateur Taimur Malik. 

At the second leg held at VetLab, he managed 43 points with a fifth-place finish having carded a one under-par 287 total following rounds of 74, 72, 69 and 72. 

At Naivasha's third leg of the Tour hosted by Great Rift Valley Golf Resort, Ngige was tied ninth with three others at nine over-par 293 for 26.5 points. 

He came close to winning his first event of this year's series in Mombasa at the Nyali Golf and Country Club, finishing tied second with Indiza after leveling the course to pick 46.5 points. Uganda’s Deo Akope won the Mombasa leg on two under-par 282. 

"I shot 73 in the last round in Nyali after carding under large scores on the other rounds and I lost the chance to win my first event. As I prepare for Uganda and the subsequent legs of the Tour, I am well.aware that putting wins golfers championships and I am working to get perfect on the greens," Ngige added. 

Ooko working on mental preparedness ahead of Uganda Open

After his trip away to Entebbe for the Uganda Open, the golfer says he will hit the gym to prepare physically for the 2022 legs and by extension the Kenya Open. Additionally, he is looking at playing in a few invitational events in South Africa. 

"If the Savannah Classic is confirmed, we will play back-to-back high level events and I have to be physically and mentally ready. This year’s double caught us off guard and the results showed. Playing in South Africa will also prepare me for the level of competition,"

"I believe the experience will go along way in helping me match the pros who come to Kenya. They play in the European Tour week in week out and until we can have the same experience as they do, we will continue playing second fiddle to them," Ngige offered.