Chirchir, Wanjiku triumph at NCBA Golf Series in Eldoret

Home golfer James Chirchir carded a remarkable round of 41 points on Saturday to claim victory in the Division One category of the Eldoret Sports Club's leg of the 2024 NCBA Golf Series.

The handicap 11 golfer shrugged off stiff competition from fellow club-mate Joseph (handicap 9) whose equally commendable 38 stableford points at the end of play secured him the runner-up position in the category.

In the Ladies' category, Miriam Wanjiku, playing off handicap of 12, showcased her talent and skill, clinching victory with a final score of 36 points.

Gracemary Karira, playing off a handicap of 6, secured the runner-up position with an equally impressive score of 36 points.

In Division 2, Cheptoo Johana claimed victory in the Men's category, playing off a handicap of 15 and scoring 36 points.

Satwinder Sagoo emerged victorious in the Ladies category, returning an impressive 40 Stableford points playing off a handicap of 16.

At the same time, Anita Cherop, playing off a handicap of 26, demonstrated exceptional skills in Division 3, emerging triumphant with 33 Stableford points.

In the subsidiary categories, Josephine Chesang playing off a handicap of 23 claimed victory as the Guest winner after scoring 32 points.

Meanwhile, handicap 29 Rahab Thuo emerged victorious in the Staff category with a score of 31 points, while Junior golfer Ryan Tolgos showcased remarkable talent, securing victory among the juniors with an impressive gross score of 100 points.

The event, marking the third leg of the 2024 Series, attracted competitors from across the North Rift region who vied for top honors and a chance to secure coveted slots to play at the Grand Finale later in the year.

Speaking during the event, Jacquie Muhati, NCBA Group Deputy Director & Head of Brands said “This being the third leg of the series, I must say that the journey has started very well as we have witnessed some great golfing action that shows great promise for the future of our sport across Kenya and this is exactly what we seek to achieve through this series,” she said.

She added that the Eldoret event marked a significant milestone with a record number of twelve juniors participating, underlining the growing interest and uptake of golf among the younger generation beyond Nairobi.

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"We are encouraged by the great number of junior participants who joined the Eldoret leg of the NCBA Series events. This record-breaking turnout highlights the growing enthusiasm for golf among young players beyond Nairobi and underscores the inclusive nature of the sport. It's a testament to our commitment to fostering the next generation of golfers and promoting the game's accessibility across diverse regions," she added.

Eldoret Sports Club captain Dr. Mathew Koech expressed his gratitude for the successful event, saying, "The NCBA Golf Series has brought a wonderful display of talent to our club. We are thrilled to have hosted such a prestigious event, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation to NCBA for their continued support in promoting golf in our region."

After the Eldoret leg, the Series will resume on April 20, with the fourth leg hosted at Ruiru Sports Club.

This leg marks the continuation of the series, which comprises a total of 23 legs played across various golf clubs in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda.