UGANDANS IN TOWN: The neighbours are among contestants in the golf series

Std Classic Golf Kakamega Mildred Natecho prepare to pat the ball during the Standard County Golf Classic tournament held at Kakamega Golf Club on January 14, 2017. BY BENJAMIN SAKWA

The 12th leg of 2016 Standard County Classic Golf series yesterday teed off at the par-72 Kakamega Sports Club with over 100 golfers.

The players praised the conducive weather in the western Kenya town even though the fairways were unforgiving as they were playing long.

It was evident some participants could not harness the glorious weather to spur their performance on the dry fairways which were not holding.

“Due to the dry weather, the fairways are playing long thus, any golfer on course should adjust their firing strength to achieve a reasonable shot,” said John Ngaruiya,a golf expert.

Nonetheless, the contest attracted players from the surrounding clubs including Kisumu, Kericho, Nakuru, Mumias, Nandi Bears and Uganda.

The batch of seven players from Tororo Sports Club in Uganda stood out with their hard partying the night before and were up on the course in the morning to look for glory.

Heading the batch was John Dambio who was taking part in the Standard Group golf series for the first time.

“We crossed the border and travelled over 140km to take part in this tournament since we respect the Standard Group whose media contents are readily available in Tororo and at the Kenya -Uganda boarders. Secondly,we came here to show our solidarity with the Kakamega Sports Club which also frequently attends our high profile tournaments,” Dambio said.

Other contestants in the Uganda squad included captain Karim Karia, Paul Okiring,Anselm Olweny,Dennis Okatch,Francis Suna and James Odeke.

Kakamega County Senator Bonny Khalwale led a team of local government officials taking part in the event with a massive cheerleading role.

“It’s the second time I am attending the Standard Group golf tournament.Even though I am not perfect in golf I still have a role to play. I am here to cheer and encourage those who are playing,”explained Khalwale.

Robertson Binayo Osangale,a doctor attached to Kenya Medical Training College in Vihiga, was trying his luck in the event for the third time.

“I first took part in this tournament when it was hosted here in 2015 and I finished fourth. Last year, I attended the Kisumu leg  and I am here today to try my luck again," Osangale said.

Kericho Club captain Ezekiel Cheruiyot also arrived with two players from his home club.

Standard Group Head of Human Resource, Nicholas Siwaton was also optimistic to carry the day in the Staff category.

Overall winner's prize is a free three-month subscription of the Standard and Nairobian newspapers on top of other prizes.

Apart from the dry greens,the players also had  difficulty tackling Hole Number four, the longest hole in the course standing at par five for both men and women and plays for 534 yards for men and 487 yards for women.