High expectations as golfers jostle for exciting prizes at Eldoret Club

The par 71 Eldoret Club was a beehive of activity yesterday as over 100 players battled for exciting prizes in the second leg of the 2022 Standard County Golf Classic Series.

The golfers came as far as Nairobi, Kericho, Nakuru, Kitale and Kisumu to try their luck in the leg that had various rewards for the winners.

As they combed the dry fairways, the participants could not get their minds off the irresistible gifts that were waiting at the end of the day.

The prizes that were scheduled to be awarded last night included a two-night for two ticket, a dinner for two ticket and spa treatment voucher courtesy of Eka Hotel Eldoret.

Local carrier Jambojet also had return tickets to any local destination.

"The course is very dry, the greens are running long, but I'm hopeful for victory," leg defending champion Wesley Kiprono told Standard Sports after the game.

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos, who was in the second batch that teed off at 7.10am, admitted he did not play well in the opening nine as the course was very tough.

"I have been busy of late, I have not been playing frequent rounds of golf," said Tolgos who was playing off handicap 8.

The Governor hinted that his county has laid down plans to build a prime golf course in the scenic Kerio Valley which should be completed in the next four years.

Handicap 23 Tobias Meso from Kericho had high expectations which was to card above 40 stableford points to lift the main prize.

"I won the Karen leg of the NCBA golf series last season. So, I believe it's also possible to replicate the same in this contest," said Meso who was making his debut in the Standard County Golf circuit.

David Some, a lecturer at the Moi University Eldoret, was looking for a second victory in the series having won a leg in Kakamega a decade ago.

"I'm playing this tournament for the fourth time, today the greens were good but the fairways were slow, my shots were not rolling well," said Some.

Paul Maiyo, a pastor who won the Nyali leg of the series a couple of years ago, said he enjoyed the game with his peers even though the opening three holes gave him a hard time to tackle due to their dog-legged nature and also the fact that they were surrounded by a meandering river.

"It's my first time playing the series in Eldoret and I can say the green-keeper did an amazing job on the course," Maiyo said.

Betty Tororei, playing off handicap 22, said she didn't play well as the pitch was challenging to her short games.
At the same time, Standard Group PLC Chief Executive Officer Orlando Lyomu led a tree planting exercise at Eldoret's Arboretum and in Kaptagat in support of the tournament's theme 'On the Green Course, for the Green Cause'.

"Climate change is a serious issue that has engulfed the globe so everyone should play their part in promoting sustainable actions," said Lyomu.

"We have also used this opportunity to meet our clients at the county and get their feedback about our news products."