Double lucky Kanyi sinks Hole In One to bag Sh1 Million

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Kanyi Gachoka has played golf for 16 years now but has never been successful in joining the national team for international duties.

Nonetheless, Gachoka has been blessed with management skills in the game which saw him become Muthaiga Golf Club captain in 2006 and chairman two years later.

But his most recent blessing that is envied by many in the golfing industry including most established players and those in the national team is his ability to nip a hole in one win, not once but twice in his life.

Handicap nine Gachoka recently sunk a hole in one at the designated par three, 150 yards 13th hole at the par 72 Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi during the Britam 50th Anniversary Corporate Golf Championship which he ended with a total of 37 stableford points.

The rare feat has earned Gachoka Sh1million prize money which was reserved for the special hole in contest at the tournament.

“It was just a day like any other, I came to the club, registered and took with my four ball member to the course to play and then lady luck smiled on me, the rest is now history,” the 48 year old father of four says.

But this is not the first time Gachoka is winning a hole in one prize. His first luck came last year in August when he hit a hole in one prize at the same hole during Club Night golf contest at Muthaiga where he is a registered member.

“I was amazed, something like this had never happened to me in my entire life.

"I remember even one of my four ball member stated it was a fluke, but I am glad I was able to confirm it at the Britam tournament,” says Gachoka who is forever grateful to his friend Paul Kangumba for having introduced him to the game of golf.

Gachoka plays golf twice in a week but without any training sessions owing to his busy schedule. He encourages people to take up the game saying it is beneficial for one’s piece of mind, focus, social life and networking purposes.

In order to properly invest the money, Britam has opened for Gachoka a Money Market Fund Account where he will invest his tidy sum winnings.

“Money invested in the Money Market Fund Account earns up to 10.6 per cent interest per annum and so this is good investment for Gachoka,”explains Kenneth Kaniu, CEO Britam Asset Manager.

Every season, a Sh5million Chevrolet Trailblazer is reserved for the hole in one winner at the annual and prestigious Barclays Kenya Open Golf Championship which is part of the European Golf Tour, but this prize is yet be won since the championship’s inauguration in 1967.