Koech tops at Kenya Forest Services golf as Wafula stars in Karen

By PETER OCHIENG and MAARUFU MOHAMED  

Jane Koech, playing off handicap 25, posted 62 medal points to emerge the winner of the Kenya Forest Services Golf Series on Saturday.

Willy Bett, playing off handicap 24, managed 68 points to finish second ahead of James Chirchir. Bett beat Chirchir, who also had 68 points, on countback at Eldoret Golf Club.

Rishab Sagoo, playing off handicap 23, finished fourth on 69 points.

“My skills worked well to enable me beat several experienced men and women golfers in the tough, competitive tournament,” Koech told FeverPitch.

The first and second nine prizes went to Michael Rotich and Sanjiv Gujaral, who both got 33 points. Rotich beat Sanjiv on countback.

Gracemary Karira won the nearest to the pin prize, while the longest drive ladies’ prize went to Deeya Aggarwal. Felix Koech took the men’s longest drive prize.

Kenya Forest Services (KFS) Director David Mbugua said the event was meant to create awareness on the importance of tree planting in the country.

He noted that KFS has now turned to encouraging people to plant trees for commercial purposes in a bid to bridge the forest cover gap as well as act as a source of income for people and the government at large.

Professional golfers

Two-time Boston marathon winner Moses Tanui, now turned golfer, was among the professional golfers who competed in the event.

Others were Ajay Shah, Dr John Kibosia, Andrew Chelogoi, James Waweru, Jack Tuwei and the club captain John Barorot among others.

Meanwhile, Golf Park’s Naomi Wafula won the silver gross title during the Kenya Orient Insurance sponsored KLGU Chairman’s Cup tournament at the Karen Country and Golf Club over the weekend.

Closest challenger

Wafula, playing off handicap four, posted a gross score of 75 to edge out her closest challenger, Mary Karano, who returned 81 gross score, while Mercy Nyamancha (82 gross) was third. Liz Armitage finished fourth on 85 gross.

However, it was N Karimi, who posted a 71 net score, who was crowned overall winner. She beat Michelle Kanaiya, who got 73 nett score ahead of Purity Muthoni (76 points) and Ann Chubi (78).

But focus was on Wafula, who has this year chalked up several titles on the green, including the Golfer of the Year award by the Kenya Ladies Golf Union.

The 15-year-old youngster from the Rose Naliaka Golf Academy on Saturday added the Kenya Orient Insurance-sponsored KLGU Chairman’s Cup title to the five other main titles she has won this year.

The others include KLGU Amateur Strokeplay, Limuru Ladies Open, Sigona Ladies Open and Kenya Amateur Ladies Matchplay.

Wafula was also part of the winning Kenya ladies team that wrestled the triangular Gilberson & Page trophy from the Zambians in Nairobi in June.

“I thank my coach and mentor, Rose Naliaka, and all my worthy opponents. I thank Kenya Orient Insurance for giving us a chance by sponsoring the Academy and KLGU all through the year,” she said after receiving her prize from Kenya Orient Insurance CEO Muema Muindi.