The CEO of Pan Africa Life Insurance Tom Gitogo follows his tee shot at the Nanyuki Club. He won the staff prize.

By CORRESPONDENT

Mark Kirimi was the winner of the Pan Africa Life Golf Challenge first leg at the par 72 Nanyuki sports Club in Nanyuki, playing in rainy conditions on the slopes of Mt. Kenya. Kirimi, a handicap-28 golfer opened his round with a scratch on the par four – 1st and 2^nd holes but improved on the short par -3 third hole to make par. The champion dropped shots from the 4th to the 9th to finish with 19 stable ford points on the first nine.

On the back nine, he recovered on the 10^th hole and made par ;  dropped shots on the 11^th to 12^th; was quickly followed by par on the 13^th hole. Kirimi was however unable to make par on the closing stretch, dropping  shots from the 14th to the 18th to finish with 20 stable ford points and a total of 39 points. Commenting after his round, Kirimi said the golf course was playing tough. “The rains in Nanyuki have made the course very lush and as a result it is playing long; the rough is also unforgiving and the greens slightly slower than normal due to the weather,” Kirimi said. “I played conservatively, kept the ball out of trouble and I am glad to be crowned the first champion of the Pan Africa Life Golf Challenge.”

Erastus Wanjohi, a solid handicap-15 golfer finished second with 38 points. Gabriel M. Miungi finished third with 37 points. The handicap-14 golfer secured 18 points on the front nine and 19 points on the back nine.

Lady golfer Ann McConnell was the lady winner. Ann, a handicap-19 golfer scored 17 points on the opening nine but was unable to repeat the feat on the closing nine, finishing with 15 points to beat Hellen Kurutu on count back. Her total of 32points was however sufficient for the lady winner’s crown.

Tom Gitogo, Pan Africa Life CEO was the Staff winner with 37 points. Speaking at the prize giving ceremony, Gitogo congratulated the Nanyuki Club for putting together a great event. “On behalf of Pan Africa Life, I would like to thank Nanyuki Club for making this first event of the Pan Africa Life Golf memorable. To the winners, congratulations and well done.” The golfers were drawn from—Nyahururu, Nyeri and host Nanyuki.

This was the first of the six series launched last week in Nairobi that will be played around the country. From Nanyuki, the Challenge will move to Eldoret Golf Club on the 11^th of May, Nakuru Golf Club will host the PAN AFRICA LIFE GOLF CHALLENGE on 8^th of June and East to the Nyali Golf and Country Club on the 13^th of July 2013.The grand finale will be held  in September  at the Muthaiga Golf Club.

The overall winner of the PAN AFRICA LIFE GOLF CHALLANGE will win an all expenses paid trip to participate in the 2013 SANLAM CANCER CHALLENGE that will be held at the Sun City Golf Resort from the 21^st to 22nd of October 2013. golden goose golden goose

Vet Lab’s Robinson Owiti in action at a past tournament.

By DONALD WELLINGTON

This year’s Windsor Classic champion Robinson Owiti is protesting being left out of the national team for the Africa Zone VI Golf Championship slated for Windhoek, Namibia between April 22 and 25, despite being third in the Golfer Of The Year standings.

Owiti is surprisingly missing in the provisional team released by Kenya Golf Union (KGU) on Friday to represent the country at the continental event, despite the fact that he is currently considered as one of the best amateurs in the country, going by his recent form.

Players named for the continental duty include Limuru’s John Karichu who currently leads the Goty standings, Vet Lab’s Mathew Omondi who is placed fifth in the standings, Kericho’s William Odera who is currently sixth, Golf Park’s Tom Omuli who is second, Nelson Simwa who is placed  18^th, Great Rift’s duo of Justus Madoya and Abdullahi Galgao who are placed fourth and sixth respectively and juniors John Mburu and Mohit Mediratta of Nyali and Sigona clubs respectively.

“KGU should come out and explain the criteria they used to pick the team, because for many years, national team players have always been picked according to the Goty standings and I can’t understand why I have been left out of the team and yet I am third in the standings and yet Simwa who is 18^th has been picked,” said Owiti.

He added: “At the moment I am ranked better than even Madoya, Omondi, Galgao and Odera. All of whom have been named in the team.”

Owiti said he wanted fairness and urged KGU to exercise transparency in order to help the development of the sport which will soon be an Olympic sport.

“This is pure impunity and favoritism and it is not in any way good for the sport. We should use the right channels. I contacted KGU chairman Alfred Kariuki who said he knew nothing about the team selection and referred me to his deputy Francis Okwara. Okwara told me that he would look into the matter and get back to me, but I have not got a word from him and he is not even picking his calls now,” Owiti said.
He added: “I am protesting for the sake of other amateur golfers who could go through the same treatment in future and I hope this stops. It is very unfair because I sponsor myself at the Goty events so that I can make it to the national team then turn professional, then some individuals deny me my right.” airmaxofficiel airmaxofficiel