Standard County Golf Classic lit Eldoret as over 100 players battle for honours
Golf
By
Ochieng Oyugi
| Oct 23, 2021
The second leg of the 2021/22 Standard County Golf Classic series teed-off at par 71 Eldoret Club on Saturday with over 100 golfers battling for glory.
Most of the players had difficulty tackling challenging holes 3 and 10 due to the swollen river that snaked across the pitches.
"Despite the course being in great shape, it proved cumbersome for golfers who could not carry the ball across the river as the holes have narrow course and fairways that needed tact to handle," club captain Nathan Tororei said.
Elegeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos who was first off the tee echoed the captain's sentiments saying: "The course was tough, especially in the second nine, but I played my best golf ever."
"I enjoyed the game at the same time had an opportunity to exercise," added Tolgos who carded 31 Stableford points.
Standard Group Chief Executive Officer Orlando Lyomu who teed off at noon alongside Tororei, Jack Tuwei, and J.Waweru was optimistic to play a good round of golf in the event.
"I prepared well. I hope to play well today. We are going to crown this with tree planting as part of our effort to conserve the environment," Lyomu said.
Handicap 18 home golfer Jane Koech who carded 15 in the front nine and 18 in the back for total 33 stableford points said she was pushed to perform well by her batch that comprised of Anita Kimwatan and Evans Kipyego.
"I have been away from the course for so long due to work-related issues but I'm contented with my result. I hope I will land on a prize during the awarding ceremony," said Koech.
Linda Kangogo who was in the same group as Tolgos, Peter Maritim and Satwinder Sagoo said the conducive Eldoret weather lifted her spirit to do better in the game, firing a total of 37 points.
Maritim, who scored 29 points, admitted he had difficulty tackling the back nine holes whose greens were dry and fast.
Nandi Hills Member of Parliament, Alfred Keter hailed the tournament indicating it helped to promote unity in Eldoret which is a cosmopolitan region.
"Eldoret is the bedrock of Kenya's athletics and the golf added icing to the cake," he said.
"Through sports, racism has almost been eradicated across the world," Keter added.
Eka Hotel Eldoret General Manager, John Kanyi, confessed their business made a kill as a result of the series as many players who had descended to Eldoret fully booked their rooms.
Caddies too were not left out in the booming spree.Many who were laid off from business due to Covid-19 pandemic returned to the course to help the golfers with the game.