The winning team poses for a photo with the Managing Director KCB Investment Bank Linus Kang’ara during the 7 th leg of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour played at the Thika Sports Club.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

A fourball of Samuel Njunu, Linda Kinyua, Julius Wanyaga, and Susan Irungu displayed unparalleled golfing prowess to return a combined score of 139 points to emerge the winners of the KCB East Africa Golf Tournament played at the par 72 Thika Sports Club on Saturday.

Not far behind, a formidable team of Patrick Gakuo, Anthony Kabucho, Sam Njenga, and Dr. Edwin Mburu secured an impressive second-place finish with a cumulative of 125 points qualifying for the grand finale to be played at Karen Sports Club in November 2023.

Speaking after receiving the winner’s award, Samuel Njunu said, “We are happy to have emerged winners of this leg. We navigated the challenging course with exceptional precision and remarkable finesse, securing a well-deserved victory. The team’s unwavering commitment, tireless dedication, and impressive teamwork were instrumental in securing this championship. We look forward to an entertaining grand finale in Karen.”

The tournament attracted 294 golfers drawn from different parts of the country, of which the top two leading teams get a chance to take part in the KCB East Africa Grand Finale to be played at the Karen Sports Club in November 2023.

Thomas Thal of Thika Sports Club emerged as the overall winner after carding 40 points, Sam Njenga bagged the Men winners with 39 points while Bibiana Njoki won the lady winners having secured 38 points.

In the staff category, Scola Onsongo won the staff winner award with 40 points and Alice Awiti was the guest winner with 51 points.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Managing Director of KCB Investment Bank Linus Kang’ara said, “As KCB, we have for long been sports enthusiasts, and this East Africa Golf Tournament shows how far we are ready to go to make this sport grow. We desire to create more avenues to network, interact with our customers and create a brand that unites people beyond the formal setting.”

The 7^th leg which came after a two-week break will culminate with a golf clinic featuring juniors and ladies from the environs. Later, the bank will undertake tree planting in line with its sustainability agenda of environment conservation.

From Left Hon. Treasurer-Karugu Macharia, Chairman-Philip Ochola, Vice Chairman-David Ndung’u and Hon

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The Kenya Golf Union (KGU) has announced the start of the exciting international pairs in the country during the launch held at Muthaiga Golf Club on Thursday, 6^th July 2023. The KGU Vice Chairman and Tournament Director-Mr. David Ndung’u made the announcement while flanked by the KGU Chairman-Philip Ochola, Hon. Treasurer- Karugu Macharia and Hon. Secretary-Chris Kinuthia. Also present during the launch was the Executive Board Member- Sammy Itemeere. This is the fourth edition of the series having being held in the years 2019, 2021 and 2022 with a break in 2020 due to the Corona Pandemic.

“The first event in 2023 will be held this Saturday, 8^th July 2023 at Muthaiga Golf Club and 75 pairs have already registered to play. This will be followed by Nyahururu Sports Club (15^th July), Kericho Golf Club (22^nd July), Great Rift Valley Golf Resort (29^th July), Nyali Golf & Country Club (5^th August), Nakuru Golf Club (12^th August), VetLab Sports Club (26^th August). The Grand Finale will be on 1^st September 2023 at a venue to be announced and the world finals are set for the 6^th to 10^th November at the Royal Obidos Spa & Golf Resort and Bom Sucesso Resort, Portugal.” The Vice Chairman said. He further urged all golfers who are 18 years and above and have a valid WHS handicap index to register and participate in any of the qualifier events. Mixed pairs are also allowed and the entry fee is Ksh. 3000 per person (Ksh. 6000 per pair).

As a norm, the series is played in a four-ball better-ball format (Stable ford) with a handicap allowance of 85% of the Course Handicap. Several qualifiers are organized in different clubs across the country and in each qualifier, the top 5 pairs wins’ prizes and earn a spot in the Grand Finale. The top three winning pairs in the Grand Finale qualify to play at the World Finals with all the expenses paid for. Since the start of the series in 2019, 7 pairs have participated in the fully paid trip to the World Grand Finale. Mike Karanga & Steve Kiaro, James Kamenchu & Anthony Murage and Bhamra Bilu & Romy Sandhu participated in the finals in 2019 at Penina Golf Resort, Portugal. In 2022, Saawan Shah & Jay Varia, Chand Shah & Kush Shah, Julius Rono & Eric Mutai and Steve Kiaro & David Gitao participated in the finals at La Cala Golf Resort, Spain. The pair of Chand Shah & Kush Shah finished as runner ups in the World Finals just one point from the winners from Namibia-Johannes Damon and Hylton Villet.

The International Pairs is the World’s Largest Golf Tournament. Local, regional and national tournaments are organized and promoted by licensed partners around the globe. The top national teams represent their country or territory at the World Final for the chance to be crowned World Champions. More than 1.5 million amateur golfers from over 50 countries have enjoyed competing in this exciting, friendly and hugely prestigious event. The objective of the series is to create a fun and competitive challenge to the general, weekend golfer and to generate revenues to support growth of Elite Golf including but not limited to, training, exposure opportunities and provision of golfing equipment.