Standard Group County Golf series attracts top players

By ERICK OCHIENG’

The Standard Group County Golf Classic series teed off at the par 72 Thika Sports Club on Saturday with high profile players in contest for glory.

The inaugural series that heads to Eldoret next Saturday attracted over 200 players including the Standard Group staff members, the business community, executives, scholars, professionals and the area residents.

John Ngaruiya, a golf consultant, who was part of the series had this to say after completing his strokes in the 18 hole contest: “I am happy with my game today. The greens were fine and the fairways were accomodative. There were no roughs, golfers enjoyed driving and following up their shots to putt.”

Lucy Akinyi, a participant from Nyanza Golf Club, said she was happy with the way golfers were treated to a holistic day in that everyone who took part was a winner.

Staff members who took part were equally excited. Fredrick Okango, a business manager with the Standard Group, told FeverPitch that he learnt many lessons on his first ever competitive play yesterday.

 Okango, a member of Golf Park who is looking forward to improve his stableford points at the Eldoret leg quipped, “I am glad I had a wonderful group who taught me great lessons in my debut. We also shared a lot because we were from different proffesions.We exchanged contacts and discussed products that our various companies offer in the Kenyan market.”

 Fredrick Kirui, who is also a staff member, said he was happy with the turn out which he said was not expecting in Thika.

Salim Bwika, commercial manager at the media company, who is a member of Nyali Golf Club, admitted that the Thika Golf course gave him a nightmare as usually with any new course for him.

Some of the categories contested and their prizes issued last night included Member winner, Lady Winner, Guest winner and Staff winner.

Among the first players who  teed off at 7am on Saturday were M.Koinange, S.Chege, R.Barton and M.Kiriga. 

After the Eldoret leg, the Standard Group County Golf Classic series will head to Kitale then Nairobi. Mombasa and Kisumu will be next destination with grand finale at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi on December 7.

Meanwhile, Nyanza Club hosted the fifth and final round of the Pan Africa Life Golf Challenge yesterday with over 100  players attending.