.jpg)
L. MathekaDeaflympian Makokha gifted playing equipment by Uhuru
Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 21.05.21. | 16:34
The President was delivering on a promised he made to the elite amateur golfer during the prize giving ceremony at the conclusion of the Magical Kenya Open.
Vet Lab's elite amateur golfer Isaac Makokha is elated to have received a new set of golf equipment from the head of state which he says will go a long way in helping his game grow.
Makokha made history as the first hearing impaired golfer to feature in the Kenya Open Golf tournament and the newly introduced Savannah Classic, both part of the European Tour.
Isaac Makokha of @vetlabsc will be the first Golf Deaflympian to play at the @KenyaOpenGolf after winning the Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship.
— Daniel N Wahome (@MistaWahome) March 15, 2021
Here is his story as told to @KBCChannel1https://t.co/YpfUQfIQfi#MKO2021#EuropeanTour
Playing in the European Tour was the Eldoret-born golfer's dream which came true when he used his home advantage to defeat Jay Sandhu 3 and 2 at the 97th Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship final played in September 2020 to book a ticket to the Kenya Open. The championship had attracted a field of 108 amateur golfers, including 19 juniors, who teed off in the 8-round competition.
As one of the five amateur who took part in the 2021 Kenya Open won by South African Justin Harding in a 21 under par score, Makokha carded four over par 75 and six over par 77 to miss cut.
He had a better game in the Savannah Classic carding his best round of two over par 73 in the first round and a five over par 76 in the second round to miss cut.
One of the only golf lessons I ever took was by this fine young man, 2020 Kenya Amateur Match Play Champion, Isaac Makokha. Being hearing impaired has not stopped him from being the best. #InternationalSignLanguageDay pic.twitter.com/LLLlhqVQte
— Chargé d’Affaires Eric Kneedler (@USAmbKenya) September 24, 2020
"A big thank you to the President for his kind words to me at the Magical Kenya Open and for a generous gift of a new set of golf clubs and accessories. The new clubs reached me last week and I want you (The President) to know that they are excellent and very high quality and it is joy to use such equipment. I am extremely grateful to you. It will take me a little time to get used to them, but I am confident that they will make a significant contribution to my progress and I will be proud to represent Kenya and the deaf community at every possible opportunity," Makokha wrote, in a statement addressed to the President.
The 29-year old has represented Kenya in two major assignments in Turkey and regional Victoria Cup. During the deaf tournament in Turkey, Makokha, a sibling of Kenyan pro Jeff Kubwa, finished fifth overall.
Having made his debut at the European Tour as an amateur, Makokha is well on his way to becoming the first deaf pro golfer to represent Kenya in the European Tour before eventually becoming a teaching pro.
Makokha who began his golfing career at the Eldoret Golf Club where his father worked had a good golfing foundation as he learned from his siblings among them Kubwa as well as the Simwa brother Nelson and Boniface who have helped his game grow.
