KIPRONO WINS KCB ROAD TO THE MASTERS ELDORET LEG TO LEAD NORTH RIFT PRO AM QUALIFIERS TO KAREN MASTERS
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos in action at the Eldoret Golf Club.
By DANIELLA APIYO
Home player Japheth Kiprono emerged the winner of the third round of the KCB Road To The Masters at Eldoret Club over the weekend to lead six qualifiers from North Rift region to KCB Karen Masters Pro-am.
And the handicap 20 player did it in bravado upon firing 39 stableford points and had his campaign effective sewn up after beating men’s winner Kamar Manek on count-back.
Kiprono managed 19 in the first nine.and 20 in.the second nine to pull through. Manek, on the other hand, had it 22 in the first nine and 17 in the second nine.
Manek and Kiprono nevertheless savored a Pro-am slot to the second edition of KCB Karen Masters.
On.his way up, Kiprono parred holes 5, 7 and 13.
Other qualifiers were guest winner N Ongalo from Kakamega on 39 points, staff winner Eliud Siganga (34 points) who is the KCB Bank branch manager, lady winner who is also the ladies. Captain Jane Koech (38points) and men’s runner up Simon Chepkwony. Koech who was also the day’s birthday lady savored her qualification to the Karen Masters.
“Its such a great pleasure representing the club in the Karen Masters. I will surely give it my all,” said Koech.
Kiprono was all smiles and had this to say: ‘I have been practicing really hard and I’m glad to have won the event. The course was quite fantastic and the Karen Masters Pro-am qualification came as a pleasant surprise, ” said the winner.
Eldoret Club Chairman Andrew Chelogoi, who is also the Kenya Golf Union North Rift representative thanked Kenya Commercial Bank for sponsoring the event which holds the key to Karen Masters Pro-am tickets.
“We now have two major golfing events in Kenya which are the Kenya Open and the Karen Masters which joins the prestigious Sunshine Tour, thanks to KCB Bank Group for bringing some of the very best golfers to Kenya and giving our locals an opportunity to further their skills,” said Chelogoi.
KCB Bank’s Great Rift’s Regional Service Quality Manager Stephen Mosong thanked North Rift golfers for gracing the qualifier.
“Earlier in the week we launched the KCB Karen Masters in Karen and its all systems go as we await to make a debut on the prestigious Sunshine Tour. We take this opportunity to invite you to the next two qualifiers at Nyali on June 30 and Muthaiga on July 7. We are overly excited to host you including our existing and potential customers. For us as KCB golf is one of our avenues of interacting with our potential customers and appreciating you for your continued support. We ask those of you who are not already customers to, try us and enjoy our partnership to catalyze your lives and businesses” said Mosong.
The first nine winner of the Eldoret KCB sponsored event was Amos Bore on 20 points.
Second nine honors went to S. Nanji on 21 points.
Nearest to the pin winner was non other than George Njoroge. Longest drive Lady winner was Anabwani Amimo while Sunjay Dodhia claim the longest drive men’s honors.
The second runner up on 36 stablford points was Caleb Kositany who incidentally is a the Member of Parliament representing Soy Constituency in Uasin Gishu County.
The event brought together 100 golfers from Kakamega, Kisii, Kitale Golf Club, Mandi Bears, Jericho and Nakuru amongst other guests and staff golfers.