East Africa Golf series heads for Nakuru weekend
By Lucky Oluoch, August 4, 2023The East Africa Golf Tour will be held at the luscious par 73 Nakuru golf course this weekend.
The weekend’s tourney has attracted over 200 golfers who will converge at the Nakuru-based facility where two teams are expected to qualify for the tour’s grand finale set for November at the Karen Country Club.
Currently, 8 teams have booked a slot in the grand finale with the latest entries coming from the 8th leg of the series that was held at the Nyeri Club last month.
“We are excited to be part of the East Africa Golf Tour. We consider this as an opportunity for golfers to navigate one of the most challenging golf courses in the country. We are expecting a good outing supported by good weather to make this a memorable experience,” noted Max Maiyo, Nakuru Golf Club Captain.
The tour has so far reached over 1,000 participants across various counties; the competition has been held in. Also over 400 juniors and ladies through the clinics that run concurrently with the series.
Series of activities will start on Thursday evening when the Managing Director Kenya Mrs. Annastacia Kimtai will host corporate customers for a dinner before hosting women in business on Friday morning during the Lady Captain’s breakfast.
On Saturday, golfers will brave the fairways for the main action while juniors’ and ladies’ golf clinics will be held on Sunday morning as curtains fall on the Nakuru visit. Meanwhile, Tiger Woods has joined the PGA Tour’s Policy Board as a player director in a move which will give golfers a bigger say in major decisions.
Muthaiga Golf Club will tomorrow host the 10th leg of the ongoing 2023 NCBA Golf Series. At least 250 golfers are expected to tee off at the par-71 course aiming to secure slots to play at the tournaments Grand Finale slated for later in the year.
The event follows the ninth leg played at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club a fortnight ago that attracted an impressive field of 249 golfers. Scratch golfer John Odhiambo emerged as the overall winner of the tournament with an impressive score of 76 gross.
He fended off stiff competition from fellow golfers, including Joseph Oballa (HCP 7) whose return of 78 gross earned him the Men’s Gross category win. Among the ladies, Diana Mbuba, playing off handicap 7, claimed the top spot with an impressive score of 80 gross, after countback.
The Nett Categories saw Yash Goel, playing off handicap 24, emerging as the winner among the Men with an impressive score of 66 nett, while Hellen Musalia, playing off handicap 36, claimed the top spot among the women with a score of 69 nett.
In the Juniors category, Joshua Kounah, playing off handicap 30, showcased his immense talent and emerged as the winner with a remarkable score of 66 nett.
The series that kicked off in March has so far attracted 1,800 golfers across different golf clubs in the country. The series aims to promote the sport of golf across the East African region as the bank also seeks to forge stronger connections with its customers.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora expressed confidence that the event will be a success, noting: “Muthaiga Golf Club is a special golf course as it is challenging, yet enjoyable and therefore golfers are sure to have a good time. This week’s tournament has attracted well over 200 top amateur golfers and we therefore anticipate exciting action on the course,” said Gachora.
“Our aim as NCBA is to have a series that not only showcases the talent of our local golfers but also provides a fun and engaging experience for everyone involved. We believe that the NCBA Golf Series is a unique and exciting platform that will inspire the next generation of golfers and contribute to the growth of the sport in the region,” he added.