Former Kenya amateur team captain Bo Ciera will lead defending champions Muthaiga in their title defense for the 98th Tannahil Easter Shield tournament this weekend at par 72 Royal Nairobi Golf Club course.
A total of nine teams are taking part in this year’s event but the focus will be on the perennial rivalry between champions Muthaiga and hosts Royal Nairobi.
After winning the curtain-rasing junior title this week, Muthaiga will peg their hopes on a plethora of stars in their outfit.
This year, Muthaiga will field the likes of John Gitonga, Bhavnish Chandaria, Neer Chandaria, Ashwin Gidoomal, Rachit Patel, Khushil Nathwani, David Ombisi and club's chairman Kavit Bhakoo.
Muthaiga have won the past two editions but the hosts will be determined to stop a hat-trick of wins. Both Muthaiga and Royal have the most wins in the prestigious Easter event.
The event, which is usually held around Easter weekend, is also the biggest amateur event in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Today, the event will feature juniors and seniors (55 years and over for seniors) over and above in the main tournament that ends on Sunday.
Like last year, there are two curtain raisers before the main tournament over the Easter weekend. Muthaiga won the Junior Tannahill held on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Like the Juniors’ event, the senior Tannahill tournament is also being held for the second time.
Tannahill show is the brainchild of Major Arthur Tannahill and was inaugurated in 1924 as an annual event at Nairobi Golf Club.
The event attracted representation from Mombasa, Nyeri, Kiambu, Nakuru and Muthaiga. Every club plays one match against each of the other clubs, eight players a side and the format is four-ball-better-ball match play.
It is the only three-way competitive foursomes match play tournament in the world.
According to the format, foursomes is a competition in which a team is composed of two players, who alternate hitting the same ball sometimes. It is also known as the 'alternate shot' format.
The tournament this year is sponsored by Jamii Telecommunications and supported by Crystal Rivers, Coca- Cola, EABL, St. John Ambulance, AAR, Yogo Yogo, KNH and Farmers Choice.