Mitchell Muhanda (left) is feted after winning I&M Bank Golf Day.

By AMANDA DAMARIS

Royal Nairobi Club’s lady golfer, Michelle Muhanda, playing off handicap 22 resisted a strong challenge from home players to win the 2018 I&M Bank Corporate golf day played at Sigona Golf Club at the weekend on a score of 40 stableford points.

She beat home player, Kiran D Shah on countback who got a consolation by scooping the Men winner’s prize on 40 points as well, a shot ahead of Sigona captain, Arvo Ladha who was third overall. Another Sigona member, Cyllus Onyango was fourth on 39 points, beaten on countback by his captain.

The visiting players continued to dominate, with Vet Lab’s Lady captain, Rachel Ndei winning the overall lady winner prize on 36 points, ahead of Liz Mbuthia who had 35 points after beating her fellow club member, Archana Sangar on countback to third place.

I&M Bank, partnered with DT Dobie, for the Shs 5.95 million Tiguan which was the Hole in One Prize on hole no 3 but went unclaimed.

Defying the course conditions, there were 28 two-clubs who did claim the complimentary Titliest Pro-V balls, the most given out at any I&M Bank day in the past.

The longest drive lady was won by Frankie Gichuru on Hole No 9, with James Kamenchu winning the Men’s prize. Nearest the pin on Hole no 11 was Anila Hindocha with Suresh Siyani winning the men’s prize.

Hieronim Ikhokoro in action at the event.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Eliud Kemboi posted a blazing 42 stableford points to emerge the undisputed winner in the annual Vivo Energy Kenya Golf tournament played over the weekend at the par 72 Nandi Bears Golf Club where a record of 120 golfers took part.

Playing on home ground, Kemboi fired four birdies, one in the inward nine and three in the outward nice to beat Eldoret’s Edward Mengech to second position with 39 stable ford points.

Handicap 8 golfer parred on opening hole par five, birdied on second par 4 missed putting shots to a bogey on three recovered with back to back pars on 4, 5, 6 lost to a bogey on 7 and 9 as he sunk a par on 8 par 5 to complete the opening nine with 20 points.

He said his win did not come easily but due to his intense training with top golfers like Elly Barno, club captain Kimutai Kenduiwo and Simon Chepkwony that sharpened his skills.

“My two weeks of intense training has finally paid off. I have been practicing daily to ensure that I win this big tournament on home turf,” said Kemboi.

The shy talking golfer fired a whopping 22 stable ford points in the last nine when he parred on 10^th and 11^th, he birdied on 12^th, 13^th and 14^th to increase hi winning chances parred on 15^th before he bogeyed on 16^th, 17^th and 18^th.

While speaking at the day’s prize giving event, Vivo Energy Kenya Marketing & Customer Care Manager, Mark Senteu said: “we believe in supporting sports in the country as we recognize that sporting resonates well with our consumers and our business. I am happy that through our involvement in the game over years, we have been able to provide a platform for amateur golfers to improve their golfing skills.”

He noted that Vivo Energy will continue to commit to such noble causes that resonate with the company’s corporate social investment strategy.

Mengech was second on 39 as home player Vincent Rugut came third on 37 points to seal podium positions.

Former Eldoret club captain Sandeep Grewal and Brian Kirui were the second and first nine winners with 20 points apiece as Nelson Tanui was the nearest to the pin hole 15 winner and Eldoret’s Moni Sagoo, who played alongside her husband (Vandeep sago) and son (Rishab Sagoo) was the longest drive ladies winner while Kenduiwo, leading by example won the men’s longest driver winner on hole 17 par 4.

Eldoret lady captain jane Koech was the lady winner with 34 points.