Vet Lab pro Ali Kimani follows his tee shot at a past event. He finished the first round of the JTL PGK Masters on four over.

By DISMAS ONYANGO

Muthaiga pro Nicholas Rokoine took a single point lead as the second edition of the Jamii Telcom PGK Masters teed off at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Con Tuesday.

The home professional played four under par 67, to enjoy a single shot lead of Mumias Dismas Indiza, Thika’s Sullivan Muthugia and David Odhiambo of Nyanza.

Rokoine who won the Kenya Airways Pro Am a month ago picked birdies on the par four hole three and par three hole five, before dropping a shot on the par four eighth hole but recovered with a birdie on the par four ninth for a total score of 34 in the first nine.

In the second nine, Rokoine started off well with a birdie on the par five tenth hole, dropped a shot in the following par three hole 11, but recovered with a birdie on the par four 12^th before dropping a shot on the par four 14^th.

He then recovered with two late birdies on the par four 15^th and par five 18^th for a second nine score of 33.

Indiza, Muthugia and Odhiambo tied in the second overnight position on three under par 68.

The hard hitting Mumias player picked birdies on the fourth, fifth and seventh holes, before dropping a shot on the par four ninth hole for a total of 34 in the first nine. In the second nine, he picked two birdies on the 10^th and 13^th holes, but dropped a single shot on the par four twelveth hole for a similar first nine score of 34.

Odhiambo did not drop any shot in his round, picking a birdie on the par four third hole and an albatross on the par five 18^th hole.

Muthugia who turned pro last year, picked five birdies and dropped two shots to stay in contention for the top prize.

Reigning champion Greg Snow started on a poor note, finishing the day on three over par 73 after posting six bogeys and picking a single birdie.

The four round tournament has attracted a total of 36 local professionals and is seen as the best preparation for the locals ahead of next week’s Kenya Open.

It also has a lucrative prize money of Sh1million where all the top 12 players will receive cash awards. The winner is expected to walk home with Sh300, 000 after the final round on Friday, while the runner-up will pocket Sh200, 000 and the third player will earn Sh150, 000. michael kors tasche sale michael kors tasche sale

From Left- John Kamau General Manager Jamii Telcom Limited, JTL, Charan Thethy Chairman Professional Golfers of Kenya, PGK, CK Joshua Chairman and CEO of JTZ and Cyrus San'g Group Strategy Director JTL during the launch of Jamii Telcom-Proffessional Golfers of Kenya, PGK, Master Golf Day at Hotel Serena. The PGK received support of Shs1million from JTL for the two days event to be held at Muthaiga Golf Club.

By CYNTHIA OMBATI
A total of 36 local professionals tee off on Tuesday morning at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club for the second edition of the Jamii Telcom PGK Master Golf Competition.
The 72-hole competition is expected to polish up the local pros ahead of next week’s Premier golf event Kenya Open that will take place at the same venue.
Stiff competition is expected at the event where a lucrative prize money of Sh1million is on offer and all the top 12 players after the fourth round will walk away with something.
“We are looking forward to have a fantastic tournament in the next four days. We are supporting sports because we want to create opportunities for our sportsmen and I am challenging other corporate companies to come forward and support the sport because it can be used to promote tourism,” said Jamii Telcom CEO Joshua Chepkwony.
He added: “We knew that for us to improve the golf levels in the country, we must increase incentives and that is what we have done in the second edition. We also plan to invite our clients for a corporate event on Friday.”
This year, the winner will pocket Sh300, 000, while the runner-up will go home with Sh200, 000 and the third placed player will earn Sh150, 000. All the top 12 will get cash prices.
Charan Thethy, the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) chairman said: “This will be a fantastic build-up for the local professionals ahead of the Kenya Open to be played at the same venue next week. In golf the more you compete the more you play better and we are proud to have formed a partnership with JTL.” michael kors tasche blau michael kors tasche blau