From left to right: Mathew Omondi and Edwin Mudanyi of Vet Lab, Kate Arudo (PR Manager Betika), Isaac Makhoha of Vet Lab, John Wangai of Sigona and Justus Madoya of Great Rift Valley Lodge.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Five local professional golfers today received a shot in the arm after betting firm Betika sponsored them ahead of the Kenya Open Golf Championships set for Karen Country Club from Thursday.

Betika, through the Betika na Community Initiative extended support worth Ksh 545,000 towards John Wangai of Sigona Club who also doubles up as the Professional Golfers of Kenya captain, Justus Madoya of the Great Rift Valley Club and the Vet Lab trio of Edwin Mudanyi, Mathew Omondi and Isaac Makhoha.

Isaac Makokha made history by becoming the first golfer with hearing impairment to clinch the Kenya Amateur Match Play Championship title, after beating Jay Sandhu of Royal Nairobi Golf Club 3-2 in the 36-hole final at the par 72 Vet Lab Sports Club course and in the process earned a ticket to this year’s Kenya Open.

“We are grateful to Betika for its sponsorship to attend the 2021 Kenya Open. This speaks to the brand’s continued commitment to the growth and development of sports in the country. We are pleased that Betika has continued to stand by us, even now, under tough COVID-19 restrictions and circumstances where we have to go for a Bubble camp for 14 days to be able to play in the tournament. It shows that, indeed, Betika is passionate about the growth of sports in Kenya and sincere in its sponsorship,” said Isaac Makokha

Speaking during the handover, the firm’s Public Relations Manager, Kate Arudo said: “Our aim is to support all types of sports, and this golf sponsorship is a testament of how committed we are to supporting Kenyan talent. The five golfers receiving the sponsorship have impressed us with their discipline and focus in advancing at golf and we wish them continued success this season”.

The tournament, which is part of the elite European Tour will include 12 Kenyan pros, with Nigeria, Uganda, and Zimbabwe being represented by a player each.

Betika Na Community has now grown into a massive movement with huge following across the country. Betika continues to reaffirm their commitment in investing in sports, arts and culture across the country in 2021.

From left: Britam’s Head of Corporate Communications Annie Kinuthia and Stanley Musyoka ,Marketing Manager, Commercial at Britam present a dummy cheque of Sh 800,000 to Nyeri Golf Club Chairman Arthur Muchir and Nyeri Golf Club’s captain Mathew Ndegwa during the inaugural Britam Golf series at the Nyeri Golf Club on Saturday.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The Britam Golf Series sponsored by Britam Holdings at a cost of Sh9 million, teed off on Saturday at the Nyeri Golf Club where guest player Mike Kirimi emerged the overall title winner.

Kirimi, a member of Nanyuki Sports Club, playing off handicap 12, returned a solid score of 45 stableford points to triumph in the first leg of the new golf series, which attracted a large field of 90 golfers.

Among the top golfers who were headlining the inaugural event by Britam were Nyeri club chairman Arthur Muchiri and the Club’s lady captain Jane Nderitu, among others.

The Britam Golf series will be making a countrywide tour with the next events planned for Nakuru, Nyanza, Mombasa and Nairobi.

Britam’s Head of Corporate Affairs Annie Kinuthia encouraged upcoming golfers who took part in the inaugural event to take advantage of the opportunity presented to them to learn from the professional golfers and thanked those who participated saying more indulgence will help them sharpen their golfing skills.

Handicap 20, C Wanjau was Men winner on a score of 36 (18+18) stableford points with Sam Muchiri of Nanyuki Sports Club taking Men winner prize second on a score of 38(18+17) stableford points.

In the ladies category, Nyeri Club Lady vice-captain, handicap 26 Regina Mumero claimed the bragging rights on a score.

On the outward Nine, Kirimi set off on a birdie hunting spree managing a single birdie, five pars and three bogeys for a first nine score of 22 stableford points.

On the course’s toughest hole, stroke index-one 13th, a par-four, he made an easy par after he found the green on three and holed out a 14-foot left-to-right downhill putt. He then bogeyed the 14th hole, a par-four.

Descending on the course’s signature hole, “Kerio Valley” a par-five, finding the fairway 210-yards to the green. Struck a full 6-iron downhill but went wild  with a bad kick off the green. Chipped back on and single putted for par. After which he bogeyed the 16th, a par-four.

On the 17th, Kirimimi sliced his tee-shot to the right while attempting the Longest Drive Men contest, ending up into the shallow rough from where he was well-out onto the fairway.

Found the green on three and two-putted for his last bogey for the day with some vim left in him, Kirimi attacked the pin on the 18th, going for Nearest to Pin with his golf ball coming to rest two and a half feet off the pin.

Cleverly executed an uphill putt for his third birdie from the back nine and to bag Nearest to Pin Men prize as well.

“I had a beef to pick with the Nyeri course after I didn’t win during Monday Blues Golf Day, that made me up my game and resolve to play better  with a score of 40-plus stableford points if at all I seek a podium finish.” Kirimi said

Handicap 20, C Wanjau was Men winner on a score of 36 (18+18) stableford points with Sam Muchiri of Nanyuki Sports Club taking Men winner prize second on a score of 38(18+17) stableford points.

In the ladies category, Nyeri Club Lady vice-captain, handicap 26 Regina Mumero claimed the bragging rights on a score of 40(20+20) stableford points as Rose Komu playing off handicap 26 took Lady winner second prize on a score of 37(19+18) stableford points.

In the Nines, Dr Njuguna won the First Nine with 21 stableford points with suave Eddie Karumwa, winning the Second Nine prize on a similar score of 21 points. +2 Peter Rimui of Nanyuki was Gross winner with 36 Gross.

In the commercials, Charles Wanjau won Longest Drive Men as Kaititia Tekenet won in the ladies category.

Mark Kirimi scored a double as he took Nearest to Pin Men prize with Senior Winner prize going to SWN Githitu on a score of 38(17+21) stableford points. Rachel Karuri won in the Division 2 on a score of 38(20+18) stableford points.