Golf: Nandi’s Jebichii wins Safaricom Nyanza tour in Kisumu

Nandi based Lydia Jebichii was crowned the winner of the fourth leg of the ongoing Safaricom Golf Tour held yesterday at Nyanza Golf Club.

Playing off a handicap of 21, Jebichii fended off the challenge from G. Owino, B.V Patel and B. Patel, holing a birdie on the sixth, ninth and eighteenth holes and par on the rest of the holes to emerge the tournament’s winner.

“The course and particularly the greens were very good and that enabled me to play well today. I had the ball under control and struck it really nice after teeing off. Though I didn’t utilise a few chances at some holes, I am glad the performance was up to mark.” Said Jebichii.

Saturday’s senior tournament drew 135 senior golfers from Kisumu and its environs including Western region golf clubs. The tournament also ran concurrently with the Safaricom Golf Outreach dubbed ‘Golf Mtaani’ held at Lolwe Grounds which gave over 200 young people an opportunity to learn basic skills about golf.

Ms. Jebichii joins former caddie Cyprian Bundi, the junior Golfer Leo Gitonga and Zain Manji; the winners of the first, second and third legs of the ongoing Safaricom Golf Tour in Nanyuki, Limuru and Muthaiga Golf Clubs respectively. 

Elsewhere, Josiah Omutoko scored 43 points to emerge winner of the Men’s Category. In the Ladies’ Category, Martha Okelo posted 37 points to claim the top spot, ahead of Celestine Lydia who also scored 37 points.

In the Longest Drive challenge, Dr.K. Mutai and Faith Chemutai were the stars in the men's and ladies’ categories respectively. Meanwhile, Seth Oburu clinched the Safaricom Staff Prize after garnering 38 points ahead of his team member Walter Ongondo who scored 26 points. 

Over 50 junior golfers are expected to take part in today’s junior tournament which will be preceded by a junior golf clinic at the facility. The Nyanza tournament will culminate in the caddies’ tournament on Monday.

After Nyanza, the tournament heads to Machakos Golf Club on April 9th-10th 2022, before proceeding to the Eldoret Golf Club.