Golf: Home player Kiprono wins as Standard County Golf Classic greens Eldoret

Standard Group CEO Orlando Lyomu (left) hands prize to the 2021/22 Standard County Golf Classic second leg winner Wesley Kiprono at Eldoret Club on Saturday October 23,2021. [PHOTO: PETER OCHIENG]

Home golfer Wesley Kiprono fired 42 Stableford points to lift the second leg of 2021/22 Standard County Golf Classic series at par 71 Eldoret Club on Saturday.

The handicap 24 players carded 22 in the front nine and 20 in the back nine to beat the other 100 contestants to the gong.

Kiprono, who managed to lower his handicap after the tournament, had a two club in the second hole, he bogeyed holes 1,3,4,6,8,9,13 and 16.

He had a level par on holes 17 and 18 and double-bogeyed 5th and 10th holes.

"It's the first time I'm becoming an overall champion," he told Standard Sports.

"In most cases, I'm always beaten to the winners' prize on countback."

The 38-year-old father of three did not lose a ball on the fairways, especially on the tough hole 3 and 10 whose fairways were narrow and had a tricky river to manoeuvre.

"My batch inspired me to the victory, also consistent practise ahead of the tournament gave me an edge over other players," he said.

At the same time, the championship supported its theme on climate action 'On the Green Course, for the Green Cause' through tree planting on a section of the pristine Eldoret Club.

The session was spearheaded by the Standard Group Chief Executive Officer Orlando Lyomu, Eldoret Club Chairman Nelson Orgut, Eldoret Club Captain Nathan Tororei, Eldoret City Marathon Chairman Andrew Chelogoi and EKA Eldoret Hotel, Sales and Marketing Manager Kenneth Kiplimo.

The 2021/22 Standard County Golf Classic second leg winner Wesley Kiprono at Eldoret Club on Saturday October 23,2021. [PHOTO: PETER OCHIENG]

"As Standard Group, we felt we should do something more and so we have chosen to plant trees. This is in line with our action on climate change. We are trying to make the planet green again," Lyomu said.

"This is part of the initiative to contribute to our environment. Our intention is to help plant as many trees as we can."

Kiplimo said EKA hotel is delighted that the series is in line with the greening initiative that they are also supporting.

He noted that planting trees at the golf course is one of the pillars of their Corporate Social Responsibility.

"Currently, we are in discussion with the Kenya Forest Service to be allocated a forest to rehabilitate either in Cherangany or Kaptagat. We are negotiating so we can start the rehabilitation next year," Kiplimo said.

EKA Hotel Eldoret General Manager, John Kanyi, urged Kenyans to help with the conservation of the environment so as to protect future generations.

"Sustainable climatic conditions are part of the process that we all have to embrace, we should strive to live in a healthy environment always," said Kanyi.

Tororei said Eldoret Club has immediate plans to plant 2000 trees before the end of the year and a further 6000 later during the long rainy season starting March.

Standard County Golf Classic Eldoret Club results

1.Junior winner: Elvis Kiplimo 32 stableford points.

2.Junior runners up: Anika Patel 32 points.

3.Longest drive men (free subscription of Standard e-paper for one year): Anand Lakhani.

4.Longest drive men (free subscription of Standard e-paper for one year): Anand Lakhani.

5.Longest drive ladies (free subscription of Standard e-paper for one year): Gorrety Mutai.

6.Nearest to pin: Neelesh Aggarwal.

7.Best effort: Jack Tuwei 16 points.

8.Staff winner: Orlando Lyomu (33 points) who beat Nicholas Siwatom (31points).

9.Guest winner: Richard Kiptum.

10.Best Lady: Eilleen Jepchumba 41 points

11.Best Man: Jeremy Kayago 40 points.

12.Overall winner: Wesley Kiprono 42 points.