In a riveting kick-off to the 2024 KCB East Africa Golf Tour, the formidable team comprising Prisca Jebet, Rishi Dodhia, Florence Karimi and Orpha Wamaitha emerged champions at the par 71 Mombasa Golf Club on Saturday.
Their combined score of 123 points surpassed their competitors, led by Mombasa Club captain James Gitonga, Elijah Ibua, Gabriel Gakuo, and Peter Karanja, who settled for second place with 112 points.
Both teams have now earned coveted spots in the grand finale of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour scheduled for December.
“Today’s golf outing was exceptional. Our determination to qualify for the tour’s grand finale fueled our efforts to secure a decisive victory. I look forward to competing against top golfers from the country and the region later this year,” said Jebet during the prizegiving ceremony.
Willy Sang, playing off handicap 20, soared to victory with an impressive 40 Stableford points, claiming the overall winner award among 138 participants.
Former Mombasa club chairman Peter Kimanga, playing off handicap 12, exhibited remarkable golf prowess, clinching the men’s title with 39 points.
In a fiercely contested women’s category, Orpha Wamaitha showcased her skills with an excellent 39 Stableford points, securing the top honour.
Mattias Lagermo claimed the guest winner award, while KCB’s Ibrahim Lande, with a handicap of 13, bagged the staff winner award.
Martin Kiambi, an 8-handicap golfer, secured the runner-up position with 34 Stableford points. Dr. Kikwai Kibet received the nearest to the pin award.
The action at Mombasa Golf Club culminated in a junior golf clinic on Sunday, accompanied by a tree-planting exercise as KCB integrates sustainability into the heart of the golf series.
To promote inclusivity, KCB will host a caddies’ tournament every Monday across the 11 qualifying legs of the 2024 tour.
The bank has partnered with Beulah City, a property firm, offering a luxurious apartment (in the Ikhaya Beulah Genesis project) valued at Sh2.1 million as the hole-in-one prize for each leg of the 2024 tour.
The spotlight now moves to the Eldoret Golf Club, set to host the second leg of the 2024 KCB East Africa Golf Tour on February 17, 2024.
