KCB Internal Communications Manager, Anne Mathenge follows her swing during the weekend event.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Christopher Young emerged the winner of the second round of the KCB Road To The Masters series tournament at the par 72 Limuru Golf and Country Club to lead next six lot to Karen Masters Pro-am qualification.

Playing off handicap 10, the home player shot 22 in the front nine and 16 in the back for a total of 38 stableford points.

Ben Wandawanda became the second beneficiary of the wild card ticket after winning the men’s longest drive.

Other KCB Karen Masters Pro-am qualification tickets went to men winner John Karume, lady winner Grace Kimeria, guest winner Peter Kahuria from Nakuru Golf Club and staff winner Peter Mwaura.

Young who received the overall trophy from KCB Bank Group Head of Corporate banking Timothy Kuria savoured the priceless opportunity which will see him brush shoulders with local and foreign professional players in July when the KCB Karen Masters becomes the first ever event from Kenya to join the prestigious Sunshine Tour.

“I’m overly excited to have won the second round of the Road to the Masters and indeed the opportunity to play at the Pro-am of the Karen Masters. I want to thank the sponsor for a fantastic tournament and all participants for making such a good day and turn out. Lastly, I want to thank the ground staff for the magnificent setup and I can’t wait to be at the Pro-am of the Karen Masters,” said Young.

Young started off off with 4 bogeys but picked himself up when he parred holes 5 and six in the first nine. He also parred holes 13 and 18 to achieve a feat of a lifetime on the 6828 yard course.

Handicap 19 Karume fired a total of 36 to emerged the men’s winner beating Tim Kiburi on count back.

Grace Kimeria playing off handicap 18 shot 35 points to win the ladies top prize ahead of handicap 16 Laureen Gibson who carded 34.

Peter Kahura playing off handicap 19 won the guest prize with 42 points to his credit. KCB Corporate Affairs Manager Peter Mwaura won the staff prize with a total of 34.

First nine winner was K Mukuria on 21 points whilst the second nine winner on 20 points was Moses Muchiri.

Best longest drive Lady was Rose Gitau.

Nearest to the pin best man and lady was D. Mwangi and Patricia Wancongu.

A total of 250 players took part in the event.

KCB Head of Corporate Banking Kuria thanked all the golfers for gracing the Limuru round of the qualifier adding: “We are grateful to all the players who turned up for the event which is the second of the five tournaments culminating to the Pro-am of the KCB Karen Masters. We would also like to invite you to the next three events which will taken place in Eldoret, Nyali and Muthaiga,” said Kuria.

The five qualifying events have brought good tidings to local amateur golfers with  the overall winner, men winner, lady winner, staff winner , the wildcard winner and guest winner get automatic qualification to the Masters.

The wild card ticket is being given to any of the following categories; best first nine, best second nine, nearest to the pin men and lady, junior golfer, longest drive lady and men, at the discretion of clubs.

The first batch of the six qualifiers from the opening leg in Ruiru were Christopher Kiai (overall winner), Michael Chege (men winner), Veronica Mwaura (lady winner),George Felix (guest winner), Bernard Kotonya (sponsor winner),and nearest to the pin men winner Ben Njuguna. cheap air max 90 mens cheap air max 90 mens

KGU patron and former President Mwai Kibaki (right) greets Kenya Golf Union (KGU) officials at Muthaiga Golf Club.

By AMANDA DAMARIS

Focused leadership coupled with continued support by all stakeholders have enabled golf to realise tremendous growth in the country, says former President Mwai Kibaki.

As patron of the Kenya Golf Union (KGU), the former Head of State noted that the efforts by the golf fraternity have resulted to an increased interest and growth of golf besides boosting the game’s reputation in the country.

In his remarks during the KGU 90^th anniversary celebrations at Muthaiga Golf Club today, the former President noted that the union that was formed in 1928 has effectively played its role in bringing together golf clubs for a common course of promoting the game in the country.

“In the last 90 years, I note with satisfaction, golfing in Kenya has grown tremendously. As a result, the uptake of golf as a sport has recorded remarkable progress. At the same time, professional standards of golfing in Kenya have improved apace and so have golfing facilities,” he said.

The former President added that the resolve by the Union to champion the game of golf have made Kenya a preferred golfing destination globally. This, he maintained was as a result of the Kenyan character of hard work, resilience and sense of patriotism.

Kibaki further urged Kenyans to embrace golfing and use it to promote both good health and brotherhood as it is no longer a sport of the privileged. He challenged those involved to introduce golf in learning institutions.

“I am particularly glad that golf is no longer viewed as a game of the privileged. I urge all of us to encourage the upcoming generations to embrace golfing and use it to promote both good health and brotherhood. To successfully do so, we need to introduce golfing in schools right across Kenya,” the former president noted.

Kibaki hailed the Government for its efforts in making golf a preferred sport of choice to many Kenyans through various initiatives that focus in promoting the game in the country. Citing the Kenya Open Golf Championship held in Muthaiga Golf Club recently, where Kenya hosted over 100 participants drawn from across the globe, where the Government played a key role to make it a success.

The retired President also lauded KGU for establishing golf courses across the country, citing that this will encourage inter-county tournaments that will promote peace and harmonious co-existence among Kenyans.

“I take this opportunity to laud the Kenya Golf Union for establishing golf courses across the country. This move will encourage inter-county tournaments that will promote peace and harmonious co-existence among Kenyans. To that end, I encourage County Governments to work closely with the Union in order to evolve a unified framework for vibrant inter-county golf circuits,” Kibaki said.

The former Head of State also stressed that in modern day sporting has increasingly become a source of income to many people besides promoting good health, teamwork and discipline.

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