Standard County Golf: Nanyuki leg proves a tough nut to crack
Golf
By
Ochieng Oyugi
| Nov 14, 2021
The third leg of the Standard County Golf Classic was successfully held at the Par 72 Nanyuki Sports Club yesterday.
The nine-hole course proved a hard nut to crack for the over 100 players who battled for honours.
This is because the well kept fairways were playing long due to the dry grass.
“The greens were low and running, they were very fast,” Sammy Mose, who teed-off at 6.45am, told Standard Sports.
“I didn’t play well, but I managed to avoid the Out of Bounds (OB). I directed most of my balls on the fairways.
“All in all, I think the greens keeper did a superb job because there were no roughs and the fairways were well managed,” he added.
Mose’s sentiments were echoed by handicap 20 player Rose Waikudi of Nyeri Club who carded 11 stableford points in the front nine and 12 in the back nine for total 23 points.
Waikudi said she failed to convert her short games despite her well taken long drives.
Former club captain Mark Kirimi, playing off handicap 8 had an impressive 22 points in the first nine but dropped points in the second nine which he carded 13, due to fatigue.
Cyprian Bundi who is among the highest handicapped players in the event at -1, started off well with a two club in hole 3, but failed to carry on with the good run registering 17 and 12 in both nines for 29.
Nanyuki Sports Club Golf administrator, Justus Muraya explained the course was looking lovely but tricky and the only way the players could rake maximum points was to be patient with their shots on the well rolled greens.
Despite the subtle challenges on the pristine course, home golfer Samuel Gichuru admitted he enjoyed the meals and refreshments offered on hole 6 during the break.
“There were a variety of cold drinks and well roasted nyama choma for us to feast on during the short interval,” said Gichuru.
Players who were accompanied by their children left them behindg to enjoy other recreational facilities at the club while they battled for glory on the fairways.
The sports amenities included state of the art gym, swimming pool, table tennis, lawn tennis, squash, rugby, football and a play ground.
“Some golfers use the occasion to bond with their children, they interact and mingle with the children,” Samuel Mungai, Nanyuki Sports Club Recreational Manager, said.
Tournament partners like FMD East Africa strategically displayed their banners on the course to market their wares including ploughing tractors, silage choppers, mower conditioners, rectangular baker and a post hole digger.
The post hole digger was largely used to sink holes at a section of the club where Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi, Standard Group PLC CEO rlando Lyomu and Nanyuki Sports Club captain Moses Muthoki, who teed off in the afternoon, planted trees after the game.