- Philip Kibet, Fostine Maithya, Mercy Nderitu, and Daniel Salaton won with 111 points
- Cornelius Ndumai, Crispus Katiku, and Samson Matilu secured second place with 110 points
- Captain Joy Njagi (handicap 33) won the Nairobi’s Commander’s Cup with 44 points
The KCB East Africa Golf Tour returned for its 17th leg this past Saturday at the Machakos Golf Course, where teams battled it out on the nine-hole course.
The four-ball team of Philip Kibet, Fostine Maithya, Mercy Nderitu, and Daniel Salaton emerged victorious, claiming the top prize with a combined score of 111 points.
awards the Winning Team. This Fourball had, Philip Kibet, Faustine Maithya, Mercy
Nderitu and Daniel Slaton during the KCB East Africa Golf Tour at the Machakos
Golf Club on September 21, 2024.
However, it was far from an easy win. The group only managed to edge out the second-best team—comprised of Cornelius Ndumai, Crispus Katiku, and Samson Matilu—by just one point, as their 110 points earned them the runners-up position in a closely fought contest.
A total of 131 golfers participated in the event, which saw fierce competition and thrilling moments unfold on the greens.
In the end, it was the camaraderie and determination of Kibet’s team that made all the difference, providing an impressive end to a highly competitive day on the course.
Speaking after the event, Mercy Nderitu, one of the triumphant team members, expressed her joy at the outcome.
“We feel very elated and pleasantly surprised,” she said. “But the circumstances around today’s game and the motivation we had as a team contributed to the final result. Before we got on the course, one of our members formed a WhatsApp group to show us that this was serious. Sure, we wanted to enjoy ourselves, but we also wanted to make a difference for ourselves and the sponsor.”
Overall Winner, Daniel Salaton during the KCB East Africa Golf Tour at the
Machakos Golf Club on September 21, 2024.
Her comments echoed the sentiment of the entire team, who had managed to maintain their focus while also enjoying the thrill of competition. The added structure of their preparation, thanks to the WhatsApp group, allowed them to stay motivated and give their best, ultimately leading to a narrow but decisive victory.
Daniel Salaton, the standout player in the group, was especially impressive. Playing off a handicap of 25, he delivered a stellar performance, returning 41 points to bag the overall winner award. His success on the course was key to the team’s triumph, as he outshone SK Theuri (handicap 17), who finished as the men’s winner with 39 points.
Individual Brilliance Shines Through
In the women’s category, the competition was equally intense. Felistus Mativo, playing off handicap 34, claimed the lady winner award with 36 points. It wasn’t a straightforward victory, however, as she had to rely on a countback to edge out her close competitor, none other than her teammate, Mercy Nderitu.
awards the Runner- Up Team, Cornelius Ndumai (L) and Chrispus Katiku during the
KCB East Africa Golf Tour at the Machakos Golf Club on September 21, 2024.
The guest category also witnessed some excellent golfing, with Liz Wanjiru (handicap 33) emerging victorious after delivering an impressive 40 points.
Meanwhile, the action wasn’t limited to Machakos. At the Kenya Airforce Golf Club in Eastleigh, Captain Joy Njagi (handicap 33) dominated the Commander’s Cup, powered by KCB Bank, with an exceptional 44 Stableford points.
Standout Performances at the Commander’s Cup
In Nairobi, the Commander’s Cup proved to be a thrilling affair. Captain Joy Njagi led the pack, emerging as the overall winner of the event. Her commanding 44 points were enough to cement her position at the top of the leaderboard, and her victory added to the excitement of a highly competitive tournament.
Airforce commander Golf winner Captain Joy Njage during the Commander’s Cup
held at Moi Air base, Eastleigh Kenya.
In Division A, it was Dr E. Arigo (handicap 16) who secured the top spot with 35 points. Arigo had to fend off a close challenge from Sergeant Faith Muteti (handicap 15), who finished runner-up on countback after also returning 35 points.
Speaking at the event, KCB Bank Kenya Director of Finance, James Mugo, lauded the longstanding partnership between KCB and the Kenya Defence Forces alluding that the two parties will continue deepening their relationship for shared value and prosperity.
Division B witnessed another close contest, with Dr D. Mang’oka (handicap 19) securing the win after scoring 40 points. Colonel Kiprop (handicap 19) wasn’t far behind, as he also returned a strong score of 37 points, narrowly missing out on top honours due to countback.
Eastleigh Kenya, Base Commander Major General John Omenda a congratulatory
award for successfully hosting the Commander’s Cup at the Moi Air Base Eastleigh.
Impressive Drives and Precision Play
No golf tournament is complete without recognizing the long drives and closest-to-the-pin shots that add a touch of flair to the competition. In Machakos, Mugambi Kinuthia claimed the men’s longest drive title, while Valine Akoth showed her prowess in the ladies’ category by taking home the same award.
Precision was also on display, with Steve Mutungi winning the nearest-to-the-pin award for his sharp accuracy around the greens.
Not to be left out, Brigadier Oscar Muleyi, playing off a handicap of 30, triumphed in the subsidiary category with 39 points. Meanwhile, in the junior category, Anita Nyaguto took home the Junior Winner award, showcasing the young talent emerging in Kenyan golf.
