NAIROBI, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will provide 27 out of the 152 professionals and four amateurs competing at the regional 2019 KCB Karen Masters, which will be played in Nairobi.
It will be the second time that Kenya's second biggest golf tournament will be part of the Sunshine Tour event, which this year runs from June 26 to 30. The Sunshine Tour is a men's professional golf tour chiefly based in Southern Africa.
Of the 152 competitors, 100 professionals will fly in from the Sunshine Tour to join 47 local and regional players.
"The tournament has grown in stature and we are delighted to welcome top-class golfers. We are redefining the golfing experience in the region," said Sam Makome, KCB Group chief operating officer.
Tournament Director, Andy Watt, said the venue was ready to host the event.
"We have been working round the clock to meet the deadlines and I am happy to present a great course and facilities for the Karen Masters. We have also made some changes to the way the holes will be played," Watt said.
Six players who made the cut at the Kenya Open and the top players from last year's Karen Masters will be given direct tickets. The remaining 21 will be selected from the ongoing KCB Road to Karen Masters series.
Justus Madoya and Simon Ngige will be among the six players to earn a direct pass to the Karen Masters.
"The Sunshine Tour has been a good avenue for South Africans to break into the European Tour and this is also a good route for home-based players," said Charan Thethy, chairman of the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) organization.
