Once again this season the Barclays Kenya Open field will be chocked full of local talent, with more than 20 professionals teeing it up on the European Challenge Tour this week looking to emulate the success of Greg Snow, who finished in a tie for tenth last season.
His six under par total a year ago saw the 24 year old finish four strokes adrift of eventual winner Jake Roos, but Snow once again proved that he has the talent to mix it with the great and good of the second tier, which explains why he aspires to join them on a much more permanent basis.
A promising amateur talent, he became the youngest player to represent his country in 2006 at the age of just 16, and he went on to study in America as the result of a scholarship to the University of Texas.
His pedigree is therefore clear for all to see, and as a result, Snow is the perfect person to give us a guide as to what we can expect from this week’s event – as well as from the man himself.
Home advantage
“I feel very confident going into this week as I have played a lot of local events leading up to this tournament – especially at Karen – and I am looking forward to it. It’s a new week, a new season, and the idea is going to be to stay as focused as possible the whole week.
“To compete with guys on the Challenge Tour proves you can compete to a high standard, as the strength in depth is really strong. I would obviously like to get a full card on the Challenge Tour by the end of the season. That is the main goal.
“A win this week would therefore be phenomenal, but otherwise I can try and use some invites this season to try and earn a full card for 2016. I just need to use this week as a stepping stone to achieving that.”
Snow (facing the camera) embracing compatriot Dismas Indiza on the final day of the 2014 Barclays Kenya Open
Playing Karen Country Club
“I really enjoy playing round Karen, it really suits my game a lot. You need to position the ball off the tee and give yourself chances to get at the flags, that’s the key. It also helps to already be used to the altitude, having played competitively in the area coming into this week, and that will be an advantage for all the local guys.
“It is going to play a bit different this week compared to last year because of the rain, so the greens will not quite be as firm as last year and perhaps a little slower, which will make positioning off the tee very key.
“That is especially true on holes like three and six, which are not easy tee shots, but in general if you can get it in play this week you will go low.”
Where to score
“Six and 16 are the hardest holes on the course. The sixth is a tricky tee shot as it usually plays into the wind, and it is a very tight hole, while on the par three 16th the wind can really swirl when you are back on the tee.
“All the par fives are reachable though, so they should all be birdie chances. There are also short holes like the first, eighth, tenth, 11th and 12th which are all birdie opportunities out there.”
Golf in Kenya
“The game is growing every year here, and there are plenty of juniors getting involved and a lot more interest from corporate sponsorships too. It is growing year on year.
“There is a lot of pressure on us this week from the locals, so it is going to be about being focused and blocking all of that out. It is fantastic playing in front of all the home support though.
“You hit a tee shot in the fairway and they clap. You hit it on the green, they clap. It is a great experience and that is exactly what you need when you are playing in your home event.”
Local crowds are always out in force, especially over the weekend at the Barclays Kenya Open
