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.

KGU chairman Lucas Maranga (centre) presents the Manchester Salver Shield to Edwin Mudanyi (left) while Eldoret Club chairman Andrew Chelogoi looks on.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Vet Lab’s Edwin Mudanyi resisted stiff competition to retain the coveted Manchester Salver title, which is part of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) series event, at the par 71 Eldoret Golf Club held at the weekend.

Mudanyi who played two under par 69 during his last round on Sunday, had managed one over par 72 during Saturday’s first round and eventually beat round one leader George Felix from Golf Park with two shots after finishing on a total of over par 143.

Following his exploits at Limuru Country Club, when he finished third overall in the Safari Tour golf series last week, Mudanyi said the feat played a critical role his Manchester Salver win.

“It feels good to defend this title. After playing alongside the professional players at the Limuru leg of Safari Tour Golf Series, my confidence improved greatly ahead of the Eldoret action,” he said.

The reigning Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) champion said he was focused much on overcoming the tricky course rather than who will beat him or whom he will defeat at the end of the tournament that was sponsored by the County government of Uasin Gishu.

“After the Saturday round, I felt like it wasn’t the score that I wanted to play but I told myself that I should come back stronger in the final round on Sunday and I did it,” said Mudanyi.

Final 2018 Manchester Salver results:

1. 141 Edwin Mudanyi (Vet Lab)-72, 69

2.       143 George Felix (Golf Park)-67, 76

3.       144 Mike Kisia (Vet Lab)-72, 72

4.       147 Reuben Njotoge (Karen)-76, 71

5.       147 John Karichu (Limuru)73,74

6.       147 Simon Njogu (Great Rift)-72, 75

7.       148 John Lejirma (Railways)-71. 76

8.       148 Samuel Njoroge (Railways)-76, 72

9.       150 Sandeep Grewal (Eldoret)-73,77

10.   152 Anand Lakhan (Eldoret)-77,7