Kiprono survives early scare in Karen Masters qualifiers
Golf
By
Maarufu Mohamed
| Jun 18, 2018
Eldoret golfer emerges overall winner in the ongoing 2018 KCB Pro-Am event.
Home golfer Japheth Kiprono survived a two-way countback to emerge the overall winner of the ongoing 2018 KCB Pro-Am qualifier at the par 71 Eldoret course on Saturday.
The handicap 20 rolled four pars against 11 bogeys and three double bogeys in both nines to bring a two-way countback score of 39 stableford points.
Kiprono led five other players from North Rift region in qualifying for the KCB Karen Masters Pro-Am.
“The course was in fine condition and I did my best. It will be great to join the Pro-Am,” said Kiprono.
He tied on points with club mate handicap 20 Kamal Manek, who also qualified after bagging the Men winner’s slot.
Kakamega’s handicap 26 N. Ongalo, on the same score, was the first Men runner-up while Kitale’s handicap 6 Caleb Kositany, carded 36 points to win the second Men runner-up slot.
KCB’s branch Manager Eliud Siganga from Mumias won the Staff prize on 34 points, which guaranteed him a slot to the Pro-Am.
Others qualifiers included the club’s Lady Captain Handicap 15 Jane Koech, who won the Ladies’ title on 38 points.
Club chairman Andrew Chelogoi, who is also the Kenya Golf Union North Rift representative, thanked KCB for hosting the event and wished the qualifies an enjoyable round of golf at the Pro-Am, adding that the tournament will give local golfers an opportunity to better their skills.
KCB’s Great Rift Regional Service Quality Manager Stephen Mosong also thanked golfers for competing in the qualifiers that brought together 100 golfers from Kakamega, Kisii, Kitale, Nandi Bears, Jericho and Nakuru.
The tourney is the third in the ongoing qualifying series that began on May 12 at the Ruiru Sports Club. The second leg was at Limuru on May 26.
It was open to guest golfers and players from clubs in the North Rift region. The 2018 KCB Karen Masters, now in its second edition, becomes the first Kenyan tournament to join the prestigious Sunshine Tour.
The overall winner, Men winner, Lady winner, Staff winner, wildcard winner and guest winner will all make it to the Pro-Am event.
The fourth leg moves to Mombasa on June 30, while Muthaiga will host the final round five on July 7 before the Pro-Am finale at Karen on July 17. Professionals will be in action from July 19-22.