Excitement and tough competition mark last leg of Standard Group Golf series

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Dr Jesus Waweru teeing off during the last leg of the ten round Standard Group County Golf Classic series at the par 72 Muthaiga Golf Club, yesterday.  [PHOTO: GOVEDI ASUTSA/STANDARD]

The last leg of the ten round Standard Group County Golf Classic series was marked with stiff competition and excitement with over 200 golfers contesting at the par 72 Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi yesterday.

Some of the competitors braved hundreds of kilometres from Eldoret and Kakamega to be part of the successful event held which teed off at exactly 7.15am with Farah D. and C.Ogalo in contention.

Even though the greens were well maintained, the competition proved captivating at the same time challenging in the holes one, two, seven, nine,13,15 and 17 that had water features as a result of the rains that  have been pounding the city.

Roselyn Otiamba from Ruiru Golf Club said despite not being waterlogged, hole number 14 was  challenging to the participants as it has a long par four course.

The challenging course wound through the thriving woodlands of Karura Forest and offers a great ambiance with numerous lakes and ponds.

“It was interesting to play in the course. Challenging for me was hole number seven. It is long and has water on one side and covered by a bunker,” said Joseph Yego, the Standard Group’s Commercial Team Leader for South and Central Rift Valley.

Yego, who was attracted by the series after attending the sixth leg held in Nakuru, was satisfied with the conducive weather yesterday saying it was perfect for any focussed golfer.

“I am currently loving the game and will participate in most of the legs in the next edition,  my presence can show how enthusiastic I am to come all the way from Nakuru,” said Yego.

big shots participation

John Nguraiya, a golf consultant, who is also among the series organisers, said the event attracted big shots from the corporate, business community, institutions of higher learning and clubs captains.

“And the way the fairways, the greens and the course have been prepared is captivating. A walk I took around the championship course was an enhancing one on the lustful greens,” he said. “I wish I had participated taste the inviting course. Imperatively,  everybody is a winner including the cadies,” Nguraiya added.

The final leg also attracted former winners and participants including the third leg champion Sammy Itemere of the Nairobi Royal Golf Club who by last evening was praying for triumph after what he termed as a ‘succesful’ finish.

Itemere battled other seasoned golfers like Mwai Mbuthia, Evans Vitisia and Chairman of Junior Golf Foundation Ashwin Gidoomal for the top honours.

Muthaiga Golf Club, proudly called the Home of Golf by its elite membership, is in many ways the ultimate embodiment of Kenya’s unique marriage of ancient golf tradition and a modern 18-hole championship golf course set to benefit players.

The golfing ambience and the force behind this renaissance is an extensive course reconstruction by celebrated South African course designer Peter Matkovich, which in 2004 returned Muthaiga to prominence as finest course with most amazing greens.

As this club prepares to celebrate its long-awaited centenary, Muthaiga Golf Club has also been reborn as one of the most prestigious and challenging courses in the region.

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