Atitio banks on 53 years' experience ahead of Kisumu golf tour

Veteran golfer Joseph Atitio will be relying on his vast experience as he steps onto the Nyanza Golf Club course for the KCB East Africa Golf Tour on Saturday.

Atitio, who first swung a golf club back in 1972, believes that the knowledge he has gathered over 53 years could give him the edge at the par-70 course in Kisumu.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Atitio said that while he hopes to compete for the top honours, his main goal is to enjoy the game he has dedicated most of his life to.

“Golf has been part of my life for over five decades. I have seen many players come and go. This experience gives me calmness under pressure. I just want to enjoy my round and if the win comes, I will gladly take it,” said Atitio.

Currently one of the top golf instructors at the Nyanza Golf Club, Atitio holds a certified junior golf trainer certificate.

Over the years, he has mentored many of the players who will be competing in the same tournament this weekend.

His presence not only brings competition but also inspiration to younger golfers like Tony Nyambogo.

Atitio will tee off at 9.20am alongside Nyanza Golf Club chairman Thomas Odongo, Daniel Nyerere, and Tabitha Ojwang. Their group is expected to draw attention as one of the most experienced four-balls on the course.

The KCB East Africa Golf Tour has become one of the key events in promoting golf across the region. So far, this year’s edition has already visited six counties in Kenya—Kiambu, Kericho, Nandi, Nairobi, Mombasa, and Nanyuki—along with an international stop in Burundi.

After starting at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club in February, the 30-leg series will continue to move across 16 counties in Kenya and four countries within East Africa, including Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Uganda.

The tournament not only offers competitive golf but also supports community sustainability projects. The top team at the grand finale scheduled for December 5, will win Sh1 million for their club to fund a sustainability project of their choice.

As action starts early Saturday, the first group will tee off at 6.50am with T. See, P. Otieno, L. Kongani, and F. Odhiambo.

They will be followed closely by T. Agumbi’s group at 7.00am, while W. Owuor’s four-ball, which includes M. Nyamaera, P. Ogonji, and D. Sokhi, will start at 7.10am. T. Nyambogo (junior) will also feature prominently at 7.20am.

The competition will intensify through the morning as experienced players like Isaac Omari, Lydia S. Aida, K. Chandaria, J. Odongo, and J. Oyoo take to the course in intervals of ten minutes. The afternoon session will see N. Odhiambo, I. S. Ogejo, S. Rakewa, R. Karia, and G. Owino among others, wrapping up the day's play.

Nyanza Golf Club captain Griffin Owino expressed his excitement about hosting the tournament for the third consecutive year.

“We are proud to once again host the KCB East Africa Golf Tour. This tournament not only gives our players exposure but also grows the game of golf within the region. Every year, we see more people taking interest in golf because of such events,” Owino said.