Standard Group Golf: Eldoret leg was such a cracker, you can’t afford to Miss Thika

The eighth leg of the 2016 Standard County Golf Classic series was held at the par 71 Eldoret Golf Club last weekend.

The contest attracted both elite and upcoming players who thronged the course to look for glory in the gentleman’s game.

The game staged at the lush green Eldoret Golf Club fairways attracted 75 participants   some of whom came as far as Kiambu, Nairobi and its environs.

The tournament teed off at exactly 8am with the first batch comprising of Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos, Kiambu County Deputy Governor Gerald Githinji, former Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Director John Kibosia among others.

Tolgos admitted he could not resist the urge to take part in the event owing to the kind of fun and experience he had on the course last season.

Apart from those who were in search for victory, other players had different agenda on course ranging from the urge to keep fit, losing weight, testing their swings and just being closer to the Standard group crew who jetted in from the capital to grace the occasion.

“We  are very happy and delighted to have met my role model Ali Manzu,he is the reason our family cannot miss KTN Leo,” noted  14 year old Yash Raj Kachela  with his parents Raj Kachela and Aika Kachela.

The family could not let Manzu go until they took a photo with the presenter which they gleefully said they would hang on the wall of their house for nostalgic memory.

The occasion also attracted business minded individual among them Betty Angima, Standard Group Merchandiser from Eldoret, whose persuasive words saw   Group products like the Standard  newspaper, the Nairobian and Moi@90 being sold like hot cake at the event.

“I am glad all the newspapers in the first stand have already gone, I am doing my second stand now and hopefully by 11 am I’ll be through with my sales,”Angima said as other participants trooped in to register for the contest at a nearby table that was manned by another Group representative Judy Yego.

As the game continued under the clear blue skies, it was evident some players could not afford to proceed for second nine without a bite so they had to recharge with sumptuous biting before they carried on.

Some football enthusiasts   hurried up their game in order to catch up with their favourite English Premier League sides especially the two major contests for the day involving Manchester United against Leicester and the derby of Arsenal against Chelsea.

They passionately watched the games as they gulped their favourite drink at the sport bars located at the historic club house.

The closing ceremony, presided over by the Standard Group CEO Sam Shollei was such a colourful affair which was enlightened with subtle jokes emanating from the club captain Grewal Sandeep Singh.

While handing over the overall winner’s prize to the Elgeyo Marakwet Deputy Governor Gabriel Lagat, Shollei said: “"We started this journey three years ago. We have now expanded to 13 clubs this season. Our vision is to be a voice of society as we continue to meet and interact with our customers through golf.”

The closing ceremony was followed by major merry making party involving players, local residents and a group of European tourists, who danced, drank and tossed in the air all in honour of the Standard County Golf Classic series.

The story cannot end without mentioning a visit to the CEO’s farm and the house warming party thrown to the visitors by Yego.

Surely, you cannot afford to miss the ninth leg slated for Thika Sports Club in a fortnight.

RESULTS
1.Overall winner: Gabriel Lagat 43 stableford points (21+22)
2.Men winner:Natu Lakhani  39(18 +21)
3.Lady winner: Helen Yego     40 (21+19)
4.Junior winner: Kush Patel    39 (19+20)
5.Men runners up: Kamal Shah 39 (19+20)
6.Men third: Charles Ng'ang'a    37 (17+20)
7.Gross winner: Aron Kitur           18 gross
8.Lady runners up: Florence Murgor 35 (15+20)
9.Guest winner: Evans Manono     37 (18+19)
10.Guest runners up: George Owino 31 (16+15)
11.Staff winner: Joseph Yego         31 (16+15)
12.First Nine winner: Peter Poland 20
13.Second Nine winner: Francis Tuiyot 20
14.Longest drive men: Evans Manono
15.Longest drive women: Jane Koech
16.Nearest to pin men:Rishab Sagoo
17.Nearest to pin women: Mani Sagoo
18.Best Effort:Bonventure Kere         22 (14+8)