Philip Ochola (R) received the KGU Chairman’s Shield from Njani Ndiritu.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Muthaiga Golf Club’s Philip Ochola was elected unopposed as the 2023/2024 Kenya Golf Union Chairman during the Union’s Annual General Meeting held on Friday at Muthaiga Golf Club.

David Ndung’u of Limuru Country Club, Chris Kinuthia of Thika Sports Club and Karugu Macharia of Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club assumed the Vice Chairman, Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer positions respectively. The three were also elected unopposed.

The six executive positions were won by Brian Akun (55 votes), Francis Wambua (70 votes), Ndiga Kithae (60 votes), Jonathan Marucha (72 votes), Sammy Itemere (74 votes) and Thomas Mwaura (60 votes) out of the eleven nominees. 91 ballots were cast out of the 104 eligible voters representing an 88% turnout.

In his acceptance speech, Philip Ochola expressed appreciation to Muthaiga Golf Club for nominating him and all the affiliate golf clubs for entrusting him with the Chairmanship.

The new chairman said that his top priority during his tenure as Chairman is to ensure the successful completion of ongoing projects.

“I am determined to finalize the Lenana & Kasarani high performance center projects, which holds great potential for nurturing young talent in our country. Additionally, I aim to see the introduction of golf in schools come to fruition, as it is vital for attracting and grooming the next generation of golfers. I also pledge to promote our Elite squad players, providing them with opportunities to excel and securing scholarships to further their golfing careers,” said Ochola.

The Chairman expressed his intention to nurture young talent, take care of the welfare of the infirm golfers, the disabled players and caddies. This will be achieved in collaboration with KGU subsidiaries, namely the Junior Golf Foundation, the Kenya Ladies Golf Union, and the Kenya Open Golf Limited.

He committed to actively engage the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Culture and Sports, The Ministry of Education and The Ministry of Land to create a conducive environment for the development of the golf at a national level. He also promised to partner with the private sector and institutions to develop the game of golf further.

The Outgoing Chairman Njani Ndiritu thanked the committee members for their support during his tenure. He said that the Union has continued to make significant strides to prioritize Junior Golf, and has signed an MOU with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to introduce golf in schools. He urged the new leadership to work together and build upon the foundation that has already been laid. Ndiritu congratulated the new team and called upon the incoming board to extend their utmost support to the Incoming Chairman who will carry the torch forward.

James Kimani plays his shot off the bunker at the Limuru Country Club during the third leg of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

John Kariuki of Limuru Country Club led his team of Paul Kahura, Tony Karani, and Victor Gichuru to a score of 110 gross points, to claim the top prize at their home leg of the 2023 KCB East Africa Golf Tour, played on Saturday.

Playing off handicap one, John Kariuki carded a round of 37, with Tony Karani returning a similar score, one ahead of teammate Victor Gichuru, making up the team’s best scores, to finish four points ahead of the group of Wilfred Gathu, Nicholas Gathuru, Wallace Mwaura, and Mathu Nganga, on 106 points.

The two teams have booked their tickets to play in the tour’s grand finale to be staged at the Karen Country Club in November this year.

Speaking during the prize-giving ceremony, National Bank of Kenya Managing Director, George Odhiambo said, “Today marks the third leg of our 2023 KCB East Africa Golf Tour, after successful events at the Vet Lab Sports and Eldoret Golf Clubs. On behalf of KCB Group, we’d like to thank you all for honouring our invite and making this leg a success.”

“Through this series, we reiterate our support towards the growth of golf in the country, especially through our ladies and junior clinics, which we will host at every club we visit.” He added.

Commenting on his team’s win Paul Kahura said, “We decided to split our team into two groups, one playing in the morning and the other in the afternoon to ensure that we made the most out of the day, and our plan paid off. We are glad to have won and look forward to representing our club at the grand finale.”

On the individual front, Alvin Mbugua returned a score of 45 Stableford points to claim the overall winner’s title in the field of over 200 players, beating junior Victory Waiyaki by two points, Victory went on to pick the men’s winner accolade, with Beth Kariuki taking home the lady winner’s prize.

James Kimani and Scola Onsongo bagged the men’s and ladies’ longest drive awards, with Captain Waweru Thuku claiming the nearest to the pin prize. Scola also took home the staff winner’s prize having played a round of 36, as Walter Njenga scooped the Guest’s prize.

The day’s action was capped off with a hole-in-one by James Kimani, at the par-3 14^th, with a pitching wedge in hand.

The amateur tournament was preceded by a successful lady’s clinic, which was held on Friday afternoon and attracted over 25 ladies, at the same venue. On Sunday, attention will shift to the juniors as they also take part in a similar introductory clinic. The clinics which will be held concurrently with the amateur series are aimed at growing the reach of the sport of golf in the country.

The fourth leg of the 2023 KCB East Africa Golf Tour will be held at the Railways golf club on Saturday 13^th May 2023, where a further two teams are expected to qualify to play in the grand finale.