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.

(Left to Right) Pro Golfers Dismas indiza, Zimbabwe’s Robson Chinhoi, Samuel Njoroge, Rizwan Charania, Jacob Okello, Greg Snow and Mathew Omondi.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), through its premium spirits brand Johnnie Walker, will be the Presenting Partner at this year’s Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship.

The tournament, which is part of the elite European Tour, will be held from 18th to March 21, 2021, at the Karen Country Club. This year, 156 players are expected at the tournament, with over 30 countries being represented. They will include 12 Kenyan pros, with Nigeria, Uganda, and Zimbabwe being represented by a player each.

The sponsorship also extends to the Kenya Savannah Classic which KBL will be the Official Alcoholic Beverage Sponsor. The event, which is also part of the European Tour, will be held from 23rd to March 26, 2021, at the same venue.

Speaking during the announcement of the sponsorship, KBL Managing Director John Musunga noted that decision is founded on the Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship’s growing stature, which resonates with KBL’s goals, making it a strategic partner for the organization.

(Left to Right) KBL Managing Director, John Musunga, local Pro Golfer, Dismas Indiza and Kenya Open Golf Limited Director, Francis Okwara.

“The stature of the Magical Kenya Open, on the global stage, continues to grow, gaining prominence and becoming entrenched as an integral part of the annual European Tour calendar. In the process, it continues to mirror KBL’s goals and objectives, making it a natural partnership platform for us over the years,” he said.

He further noted that the decision to grant Kenya two European Tour events this year is a testament to the growing stature of golf in the country, adding that the doubleheader will give Kenya credence on the global golf scene.

KBL will also support local and regional golfers at the tournaments to meet their needs as they strive to adhere to the strict European Tour COVID-19 protocols. This support will be in terms of catering to their needs while they are restricted in the health and safety bubble across both events. As part of its offering, KBL will also reward local players who make the cut after the first two rounds of each tournament with KES 100,000 each.

KBL will also offer a hole-in-one prize for the first player who will hole-out-in-one at the par-3, 16th hole across both tournaments.

“As part of this sponsorship, we will have a hole-in-one prize for the first player to hole-out-in-one at the par-3, 16th tournament hole across both events, with the winners taking home our rarest, finest, and most beloved Johnnie Walker brands. I wish all golfers the very best as they try their luck at achieving this rare feat,” said Musunga.

KBL Managing Director, John Musunga, at Uhuru Park during the official announcement of the organization’s sponsorship for the 2021 Magical Kenya Open presented by Johnnie Walker.

As both events will be closed to spectators, KBL plans to have activations at Sigona, Vet Lab, and Muthaiga Golf Clubs, allowing enthusiasts to follow the action live on TV.

“KBL will be having a series of activations at Sigona, Vet Lab, and Muthaiga golf clubs to allow enthusiasts to follow the action from Karen live on big screens while experiencing unrivaled KBL hospitality as they would have had they had the opportunity to be at Karen,” added Musunga.

Speaking during the same event, Kenya Open Golf Limited Director Francis Okwara lauded KBL for the partnership and supporting the tournament even during the difficult circumstances occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are grateful to KBL for its partnership renewal for the 2021 Magical Kenya Open. This speaks to the brand’s continued commitment to the growth and development of golf – and sports in general – in the country. We are pleased that KBL has continued to stand by us, even now, under tough COVID-19 restrictions and circumstances. It shows that, indeed, KBL is passionate about the growth of the tournament and sincere in its sponsorship,” he said.

The events will be broadcasted to over 490 million homes and will locally be broadcasted to millions of households on free-to-air television.