A day of excitement for golfers at Kitale club

It was a day of excitement for golfers at Kitale Golf Club in Trans Nzoia County as windy and high temperatures in the green course posed challenges for both homegrown and visiting players.

The 18-hole golf tournament saw key players from the agricultural sector swing into action among them was Standard Group CEO Orlando Lyomu.

The one-day event was jointly sponsored by Nairobi Security Exchange (NSE) and MTech company.

Micheal Chebii from Nandi Bears Club playing off handicap 28 posted 39 to emerge winner of the Jumhuri Day Golf tournament played at the Kitale golf club.

Braving the rough greens and high temperatures, homegrown golfer Ali Babuh playing off handicap 14 came second with stableford 38 points while Kitale based lawyer Aggrey Kidiavai playing handicap 24 came third with 37 points.

During the event, The Standard Group CEO Orlando Lyomu had to take time to understand the Kitale golf course before he swung into action.

Despite the challenges, the day ended in high spirits as the golfers expressed having enjoyed the competition.

Local golfers took advantage of the home-ground to outsmart visitors.

"It was hot, Kitale golf course is different from the rest of the course across the country. The obstacles forced me to take time to understand how to play. The greens were also rough," explained Lyomu.

The presence of monkeys in the forested golf course was attractive to an extend that some golfers had to pause for some time as their attention was directed to the primates that jumped from one tree to another.

Lyomu's competitor, former Mt Elgon MP Joe Kimkung had a share of the rough terrain and greens.

"This is my first time to play in this course. Though it has been enjoyable, we had a share of challenges. The game was competitive," said Kimkung.

A prominent maize farmer Ali Babhu with home knowledge of the course took advantage to overdo Lyomu and Kimkung.

NSE chairman Kiprono Kittony drawn together with Kenya Seed Company (KSC) Managing Director Fred Oloibe and Kakamega based medic Dr James Akhonya termed the tournament as a health competition.

He said the one-day event attracted 65 golfers.

 He described the sin as a blessing explaining his highest moment of the game at hole 14 when he scored a birdie.