Standard County Classic Golf series heads to Kakamega

The 12th leg of the 2016 Standard County Classic Golf series heads to par 72 Kakamega Sports Club tomorrow (Saturday).

The high profile contest that is expected to attract over 200 participants could not have come at a better time. When a sizeable number of Kenyans have embraced golf as a way to keep fit and expand to their network to fulfil their new year resolutions.

Players to watch out on the well-tended fairways include club captain James Anzabwa, who is pooled in the second tee off  scheduled at 8am, featuring T.Olinga and F.Suna.

The batch of I.Ashioya, K.Akhoko and P.Okiring will open the course with their scheduled tee off at exactly 7.50am.

As usual, the fairways has some of the most challenging holes in the country leading with hole number four which is the longest in the course standing at par five for both men and women and plays for 534 yards for men and 487 yards for women.

The contestants stand a great chance to win lucrative prizes including three month subscription of both the Standard and Nairobi newspapers for free.

During the historic contest, the players will enjoy some of the most scenic views bordering the course as they forage for victory on the course.

Located in the centre of Kakamega town, headquarters of Kakamega County and not so far away from many regional economic hubs and Kisumu International Airport, the club enjoys enviable accessibility.

Being within the catchment of the famous Kakamega tropical rain forest, the club enjoys good weather most of the year thus enabling the course to remain largely well maintained.

In their spare time, the players can also visit the Crying Stone of Kakamega in Elesi, watch bull and cock fighting contests or visit the historic Wanga Kingdom in Mumias.

“The timing and location could not be better. Being the first to usher in the New Year is both historic and captivating,” noted Anzabwa.

Given its location within the nexus of other golf clubs that constitute the region’s circuit including Kericho, Kisii, Kisumu, Mumias, Nandi Bears, Eldoret and Kitale, the tournament is expected to attract some of the finest players within Kakamega town and its environs, who will be using it to step up their game ahead of other high profile events scheduled for 2017.

RECORD TURNOUT

“In addition there is the Kakamega sister golf clubs of Tororo and Mbale across the border. It is anticipated that there will be a record turnout of over 90 golfers for the tournament,” explained Anzabwa.

The club was established in 1931 and caters for golf, lawn tennis, squash and table tennis. But golf remains the club’s premier sporting activity and the hallmark of its identity.

“Little is known or told but the fact is that Kakamega is the only members’ golf club in the erstwhile Western Province whose population is more than that of Mauritius a country with many splendid golf courses,” said Anzabwa.

Anzabwa added: “There could not be a better place to start the series than Kakamega Sports Club. We are most grateful to the Standard Group for the honour bestowed on us and promise to make it a memorable event for the benefit of all stakeholders of our Club and the Standard Group.