Golf: Captain Moses Muthoki upbeat as Standard County Golf series tees-off in Nanyuki

Standard Group CEO Orlando Lyomu (left), presents the overall winner award to golfer Wesley Kiprono of Eldoret Club during 2021/22 Standard County Golf Classic Series held in Eldoret on Saturday, October 23, 2021.  [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

The third leg of Standard County Golf Classic series gets underway at Nanyuki Sports Club this morning.

Captain Moses Muthoki, who has been a dormant player in the Nanyuki leg, is keen to make a mark at the contest.

He will tee off in the second batch at 11:45am alongside Principal Secretary State Department for Industrialisation Kirimi Kaberia, Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi and Standard Media Group Chief Executive Officer Orlando Lyomu.

“I will have the pleasure of teaming up with renowned personalities and top golfers on the course this weekend. I must be steady enough for swift swings, keep my eyes on the ball and enjoy golfing with my competitors,” said Muthoki.

He longs to appear on the podium in the competition which seeks to promote sustainable action against climate change under the theme ‘On the Green Course, for the Green Cause.’

“I have played the series for several years now. I have never come close to winning but this round I am focused on performing well. I have trained well and feel ready for the contest,” said Muthoki.

“With an irrigation system in place and this year’s tournament coming in the middle of the ongoing rains, players will certainly enjoy the course and hopefully return impressive scores.

Nanyuki Sports Club captain Moses Muthoki in action in a past championship. [PHOTO/ COURTESY]

“Because of the rains, he said, the greens will be rolling and holding,” he said. Muthoki, father of two, said the nine-hole golf course is unforgiving especially when a player tackles on the wrong footing.

“It is known for being tight with narrow fairways and out of bounds beckoning closely in most of the holes,” he said.

According to Muthoki, the Standard County Golf Classic series has become an important golf  event in Nanyuki and, as the hosts, it offers a perfect moment to unwind, meet together, grow social and business networks. “Some players simply meet at the club to enjoy nice food and drink,” he says.

Not bad for Muthoki who picked up golfing by default in 2017. “ I was sitting at the club house at the Nanyuki Sports Club and looked around pars, bogeys, fairways and out of bounds when a friend dragged me to the range and asked me to hit a golf ball.

“I didn’t pull back. I hit the ball nicely to the surprise of my friend Noah Silah, who shouted ýou are a golfer!’”.

“Less than a week after this incident, I was at the practice range taking lessons and then went on well. I got my handicap in mid January 2018.

“I played my first tournament two months later in March sponsored by D-Square Ventures and went on to win with an impressive 44 stableford points. In addition, I won the longest drive,” he said.

In 2018, Muthoki won a couple of other tournaments that included CBA Bank championship which lowered his handicap from 28 to 16. “I successfully defend the CBA title in 2019 but lost in 2021.
“ I won the Mountain Classic golf event in September 2019.

“Currently, I am the outgoing golf captain at the Nanyuki Sports Club responsible for advancing and promoting the game, maintenance of the golf course and facilitating golf events.

“Being a club captain has opened ways, granting me opportunity to meet people from all walks of life including prominent personalities.”

To Muthoki, golf is hugely beneficial to him not just for physical exercises but helps him to learn important life lessons.

Nanyuki Sports Club captain Moses Muthoki in action in a past championship. [PHOTO/ COURTESY]

“I have to manage my game, same as in life. I have to check and balance my emotions, same as in life.

“The game demands focus in order to perform well, just as it is in life. “Muthoki has already started to inspire his children Jeff and Angela to take up golf.

The Nanyuki Golf edition is in partnership with Panafrican Equipment Group/FMD East Africa, known for their Massey Ferguson tractors and other farm machinery.

“We are happy to be part of this noble course that advocates for sustainable climate change,” FMD East Africa Sales Manager Lucy Mukuru said.

 

Athletics
Kenya hoping to defend World Cross Country title in Belgrade
Football
Fifa threatens Kenya with ban again
Unique Sports
SCHOOLS: Lenana School, Kisumu Girls and Agoro Sare turn focus on national games finals
Motorsport
Safari Rally: 29 drivers set for epic showdown as Safari Rally zooms off