Kisumu was abuzz with excitement as Jiten Pabari led his team to a resounding victory at the 15th leg of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour, held at the Nyanza Golf Club on Saturday. Pabari, alongside teammates Amrish Patel, Ramesh Karia, and Prashant Thakrar, delivered a stellar performance, accumulating a combined score of 115 points to secure the overall team win in this prestigious tournament.
The event saw a competitive field of 130 top amateur golfers from across the country, all vying for supremacy in one of the tour’s most anticipated legs. The runner-up team, comprising Griffins Owino, Joyce Osike, Tabitha Ojwang, and Christine Riaroh, who had claimed the overall crown the previous year, finished with 111 points. Despite their commendable effort, they fell short of toppling Pabari’s team from the summit.
In the post-match reflections, Pabari, a seasoned golfer with 35 years of experience at Nyanza Golf Club, expressed his elation at the victory. “We are thrilled to win and proud to represent Nyanza at the Nairobi finals,” Pabari said. “Our performance today was fueled by motivation and a relaxed approach to playing our natural golf. We’ll now shift our focus to preparing for the grand finale in Nairobi, aiming for another victory to support our club.”
Joyce Osike stood out with an exceptional performance, clinching the overall winner of the day with a remarkable 41 stableford points. Her dominant display underscored her prowess on the course and added to her reputation as one of the tour’s top players. Meanwhile, Amrish Patel emerged as the man winner with 39 points, demonstrating his consistent form and skill.
The ladies’ category saw Elizabeth Akinyi shine with 40 points, showcasing her impressive golfing abilities at the par 70 Nyanza course. The tight competition in this category highlighted the high standard of play throughout the event.
The KCB East Africa Golf Tour is not just about competitive play but also about fostering the growth of the sport and engaging with the broader golfing community. John Okulo, Director of Corporate Banking at KCB Bank Kenya, highlighted the tour’s mission to elevate the sport: “We have seen participation soar to 1,500 golfers, including over 1,000 juniors. Our goal is to connect with 3,000 golfers across the East African region—Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda—to make golf accessible and raise its profile.”
In the individual categories, Dr. Rosemary Obara claimed the longest drive award in the ladies’ section, while Deve Karia took the title in the men’s category. Benjamin Koyier was awarded the guest winner accolade with 39 points, and Allan Kirui won the staff category with 33 points.
In line with KCB’s commitment to sustainability, the event also featured a juniors’ clinic aimed at nurturing the next generation of golfers. Additionally, a tree planting exercise was conducted to support environmental conservation efforts, reflecting the bank’s broader sustainability agenda.
Looking ahead, the KCB East Africa Golf Tour will continue its journey with the next leg scheduled for Nanyuki on September 7, 2024. As the tour progresses, golfers and enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the upcoming events, which promise more thrilling competition and opportunities for emerging talents to shine.
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