From left to right: Ezekiel Owuor, the Pan Africa Life GM of individual life business, Tom Gitogo, Pan Africa Life CEO (centre) and KGU Chairman Alfred Kariuki during the unveiling of the Pan Africa Life Golf challenge at Muthaiga Golf Club today.

By DONALD WELLINGTON

PAN AFRICA LIFE has launched a six part golf series in Kenya. The events, dubbed the PAN AFRICA LIFE GOLF CHALLENGE will tee off this weekend at the Nanyuki Sports Club where golfers from Nyeri, Meru and Nanyuki will participate.

Speaking at the launch, PAN AFRICA LIFE CEO, Tom Gitogo, said the events were part of their strategy to reach out to their clients. “Our firm has branches in various parts of Kenya and we are using golf as a vehicle to go out there and interact with our current clients and our partners,” he said. “The golf events also give our Financial Advisors an opportunity and platform to meet their clients in the various localities”.

From Nanyuki, the Challenge will move to the Eldoret Golf Club on the 11^th of May, Nakuru Golf Club will host the PAN AFRICA LIFE on the 8^th of June and East to the Nyali Golf and Country Club on the 13^th of July 2013. “As the Counties come to life, we are changing our go-to-market strategy slightly and aligning it with these new governance structures,” Gitogo added. “Mombasa and Kisumu Counties are likely to bloosom and we project that demand for our services will increase.” Nyanza Club in Kisumu will be the venue on the 31^st of August. The grand finale will be held on the 27^th of September at the Muthaiga Golf Club. “We have traditionally held a corporate golf day in Nairobi and this Finale will serve both as the culmination of our Challenge and as our corporate golf day.”

The overall winner of the PAN AFRICA LIFE golf challenge 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 the 22nd of October 2013.

“PAN AFRICA LIFE is a subsidiary of Sanlam. The Sanlam Cancer Challenge has raised more than Shs 26m for cancer research since its inception in 1993.” Gitogo added. “Hopefully this trip will give Kenyan golfers adequate motivation to play great golf and improve their skills.” maillot de foot maillot de foot

Sigona and Muthaiga team members pose for a joint photo with the trophy after winning this year’s Tannahill Shield at the Royal Club.

By DONALD WELLINGTON

Champions Muthaiga had a scare of their lives, but recovered to share the 90^th Tannahill Shield title with Sigona after the final round of this year’s tournament at the par 72 Royal Nairobi Golf Club yesterday.

Muthaiga who has dominated the tournament for the last 10 years, winning eight times out of a possible 10, were initially tipped to continue their dominance this year, but things turned out different and their dominance was almost checked as a late rally saw them save their blushes after a false start that saw them finish bottom on the first day.

Sigona and Muthaiga tied on a total of 42 points to lay their hands on the prestigious trophy in Kenya’s biggest Inter-Club showdown, referred to the Ryder Cup.
For Muthaiga, it was a fifth successive win to add to their previous dominance in the tournament, but in the last decade they have never had such a scare.
Sigona, on the other hand, wins the Tannahill for the second occasion since 1974 when their combined team with Vet Lab earned them the coveted trophy in awesome fashion.
Sigona had opened the first two rounds well and maintained a respectable placing to attain top honours in Tannahill for the first time in twenty-nine years.
Western Kenya chalked up 37 points to end their campaign in third overall position while Limuru who were well in contention on the last day yesterday dipped to fourth overall position. Last year, Limuru finished the event in third position.
Muthaiga’s captain, Henry Kiman attributed their comeback victory to cohesion and teamwork.
Sigona led the tournament on the first day, before surrendering the lead to Limuru after three rounds before recovering on the final day, but got caught by Muthaiga on the last day of thrilling event.
“On the penultimate day on Saturday we were a bit conservative to save on points but today (yesterday) we were just aggressive to win points so we were just attacking. When we started on Friday, we said we wanted to take the trophy back home and I am glad we did it for the fifth year running,” said Kimani.
Hosts Royal put up their worst in 40 years when they finished the event in unfamiliar 7th position. It was a bitter pill to for the hosts to swallow as the last time they won this tournament was in 2008.
Sigina and Muthaiga will share the trophy for 6 months each.
Sigona fielded MM Njoroge, George Mwaura, John Ndichu, Paul Kaguamba, Kabir Choda, Rajiv Shah, Deep Shah, A. Chandaria, Mohit Medirratta and Imraan Nanji.
Muthaiga’s team has the likes of Tanvir Sodi, Kavit Bhakoo, Neer Chandaria, John Gitonga, Bhavnish Chandaria, Rajesh Bhabra, Evans Vitisia, Kumar Dhall, Mwai Mbuthia and Ashwin Gidoomal.
In yesterday’s matches, Sigona blanked Windsor 8-0 and went on to defeat Mombasa 5-3.
Windsor found the going rough when Mombasa recovered to weallop them 0-8. Hosts Royal Nairobi defeated Limuru Country Club 6-2 while Muthaiga vanquished Limuru 8-0.
Muthaiga came out unscathed on the final day when they saw off Royal 6-2.
Karen lost 2-6 to Western Kenya while Railways beat Karen 6-2.  Western Kenya lost 5-3 to Railways in another match.
Royal Nairobi Chairman Zubin Parikh lauded the teams for incorporating juniors in their outfits. He thanked Kenya Golf Union (KGU) for supporting the tournament and added that it was exciting to see a record spectator turnout in this year’s event.
Royal’s Captain Jack Okuku was excited by the fact that teams played their hearts out and exhibited high standards of golfing.
“The going was really time and was determined at the very last minute. Limuru, Muthaiga and Sigona were all in contention going into the last day,” said Okuku. michael kors sac a dos michael kors sac a dos