-While Kericho Captain Kiptoo’s team takes takes lead at the KCB East Africa Golf Tour;
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS;
Major Joel Mochanga displayed his kills to emerge the overall winner of the 2023 Commander Kenya Navy golf tournament hosted at the par 71 Sea-Link Mombasa Golf Course in Mombasa County on Saturday.
The handicap 14, Mochanga posted 39 stableford points to win the Trophy in the Kenya Defense Forces Golf Association (KDFGA) Division one category.
“I extend my thanks to the club for keeping good course in standard of play and I hope all of us golfers have enjoyed playing here today.My Advice is that hard pays and that’s why I was able to win this tourney. My thanks also goes to the organizers and sponsors for making the event successful,” said Mochanga.
His club mate handicap 5 Sergeant Aaron Wanyama was the runners up slot after failing the lead by a nine point’s difference while taking the third slot on 25 points was handicap 8 Captain Brian Tororei.
Kingdom Bank, Fosroc Construction solutions and Crown Paints were the joint sponsors of the daylong 18 holes tourney participated by 150 golfers from the home club and across the Country.
The Division two KDFGA winner was handicap 21 Major Epapra Lagat with a sterling 41 points while Brigadier Joseph Muracia playing off handicap 20 returned a score of 39 points to claim the runners up slot and handicap 28 Lt.Col.Rumo with 38 points was third.
Youthful handicap 28 Sergeant Faith Muteti survived on a count back score of 35 points to emerge the KDFGA Lady winner after tying on the same score with runners up placed handicap 28 Grace Kwamboka.
Club’s Captain James Gitonga playing off handicap 17 did not go home empty handed after winning the Member’s men prize on a count back score of 42 points.
The Club’s former lady captain Gladys Kasi playing off handicap 22 posted 39 points to win the same in the Lady category.
Handicap 7 Ndiga Kithae from Thika Greens Resort Golf club returned a score of 31 points to win the Guest Man prize while handicap 29 Nancy Gatwiri on 43 points was the lady winner of the same category.
Kenya Navy Golf team Captain Major Epapra Lagat who was the host thanked the golfers, sponsors and the Club for hosting the tourney successfully and assured them next year it will be great.
“I am very much impressed by the turn out of the golfers and friends who participated in the Commander Kenya Navy Golf Trophy 2023. The course was in a good condition and the weather was friendly. The Navy team did me proud by securing most of the winning prizes, as well as carding in impressive points. We are determined to defend this trophy in the next KDFGA Golf tournament that will take place next month in Naivasha at the Great Rift Valley Lodge. We welcome you all once again, to join us and participate in this event,”said Lagat.
Meanwhile Kericho Club Captain Ignatius Kiptoo led his team of Chris Birgen, Raymond Keter and Erastus Orina to glory at the 10th leg of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour emerging the winning team at the 9-hole Kericho course on Saturday, ADDS BRIANN JAYSINS-OXYGEN PR;
They returned a combined score of 112 points beating the team of Richard Korir, Onesmus Maritim, Kipkirui Langat and John Sang who garnered 110 points to be crowned the runner up team.
Raymond Keter and Kericho Captain Ignatius Kiptoo pose for a photo after the team
was named the overall winning team of the 10 th leg of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour at
the Kericho Club. Photo by Brian Jaysins, Oxygen PR.
The two teams join 9 other teams that have already booked a slot in the grand finale.
Handicap 16 golfer Charles Siele carded 43 stable ford points to be crowned the overall winner of the tourney that brought together a field of 104 golfers.
Speaking on behalf of the winning team, Kericho Captain Ignatius Kiptoo said, “I am elated to be in the winning team today. I did not play very well, especially at hole number 8. However, my four ball team was a formidable team, that’s why we made it to the podium. We know that the grand finale is not too far away so we will embark on a rigorous training schedule to ensure that we compete with some of the best golfers from around the country.”
Raymond Bii playing off handicap 49 was named the overall men’s winner carding 39 points while Joan Mitei of Kisii golf club who plays off handicap 26 clinched the lady winner award.
Sam Gathura of Muthaiga golf club became the guest winner with 36 points while handicap 19 lady golfer Milicent Melo carded 36 points to take home the staff winner award.
In the junior category, handicap 36 golfer Ivan Kiprono carded an impressive 30 points to bag the award. Daniel Tanui who plays off handicap 7 won the longest drive award in the men category while handicap 15 golfer Lydia Jebichii clinched the longest driver award in the ladies’ category.
In a bid to expand the sport of golf, KCB hosts the ladies’ and juniors’ clinics on Sunday morning.
The clinics have so far reached over 500 participants and have enabled budding golfers to hone their skills.
With the emerging environmental threats owing to climate change and other factors, KCB continues with its tree planting initiative at the Kericho course as the bank bolsters its sustainability efforts.
ENDS;