With exciting Oduor on the course, there's hope for Kenyan golf

Hope Oduor in action during U.S. Kids Golf Series at Windsor Hotel and Country Club in Nairobi. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Hope Oduor fired 47 stableford points to lift the 2023 Chairman's Prize at the par 72 Limuru Country Club at the weekend.

This was the second high profile tournament the ten-year-old pupil at Braeburn School, Gatanga Road was winning this season.

Oduor recently stunned many when she bagged the Bima Open tournament at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club.

While receiving the prizes on her behalf at the Limuru event which was contested by over 300 players, Limuru Country Club Junior Convener, James Mbui said: "This is a proud moment for the junior golf development in our club.

"Out of the ten junior players we entered for this competition, half of them walked home with lucrative prizes."

Oduor's father, Robert Otieno was over the moon with his daughter's overall victory at such a tender age.

"This win means a lot to us as a family. We are glad that the dedication and time that we have put in Hope's golf practices have started to pay off," Otieno said.

"This victory is going to encourage her even more to be the best she can be in the sport. Personally, her win has motivated me to follow the game even deeper. Her mother and I will continue to be her dedicated supporters.

"Of course we are not forgetting her caddy, Godfrey Musholi, who has worked round the clock to ensure that Hope is playing well," Otieno added.

The tournament marked the end of a two-year tenure served by the outgoing Limuru Country Club chairman David Irimu.

Irimu termed the period as a mixture of sacrifices and commitment as his dedicated board strived to serve the club members well.

"As I go out, I feel a sense of satisfaction, I know we served the people with one voice. I also made many friendships that expanded my network and social capital," Irimu said.

The Chairman's Prize main event was preceded with a caddies competition on Monday, a Club Night on Wednesday, a Ladies Medal on Thursday and the Chairman's Casino on Friday.

Meanwhile, David Kigen hit the jackpot to convincingly win the ICEALION King of the Course Nandi Bears Club leg over the weekend.

Spurred on by a bet among his peers for any birdie inked, the handicap 38 went on an unsuccessful birdie hunt sinking a paltry two pars from his round of 18.

However, he picked several bogeys and double-bogeys thanks to his double and triple stroking to garner a bountiful harvest of 47 stableford points.

The Kericho Club golfer was overmoon after beating a record field of 138 golfers at the hilly nine-hole course.

Drawn from host Nandi Bears Club, Machakos Sports Club, Ruiru Sports Club, Thika Sports Club, Nanyuki

The seven series qualifier has been sponsored by financial solutions provider ICEA LION GROUP since 2007. [Additional reporting by Mose Sammy]