Record field for 'King of the Course' trophy in Machakos

The new King of the course golf champion James Ndunda (right) receives the trophy from ICEA Lion General Manager Alvin Odhiambo at Machakos golf club on January 4, 2020. 

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • By Saturday evening, one out of the record field of 158 golfers drawn from Kenya Railway Golf Club, Golf Park, Royal Nairobi, Kenya Airforce, Ruiru, Mombasa Golf Club and hosts Machakos, will have been declared the ICEA Lion King of the Course 2021 Machakos edition
  • The 2020 Machakos leg was held on January 4, where home player James Ndunda then playing off handicap six carded 37 points in an event played on a tough course then, to become the 2020 King of The Course
  • Because of the big entry, 82 players are drawn in the morning from 6am while 76 players will be battling it out in the afternoon

The chase for the prestigious ICEA Lion sponsored “King of The Course’’ golf trophy, is finally on this weekend at the par 72 Machakos Golf Club course in Machakos County.

By Saturday evening, one out of the record field of 158 golfers drawn from Kenya Railway Golf Club, Golf Park, Royal Nairobi, Kenya Airforce, Ruiru, Mombasa Golf Club and hosts Machakos, will have been declared the ICEA Lion King of the Course 2021 Machakos edition.

Now a popular series in the country, the ICEA Lion King of The Course, started in 2016 as a Year Opener at Machakos, an idea by Malawi-based Kenyan golfer Kimanzi Muthengi who in 2017 sort sponsorship from ICEA Lion Insurance who in turn saw an opportunity to support and reward their clients in the Eastern region.

This is where the event changed from Year Opener to ICEA King of The Course though it was until last year when more events were added, courtesy of the insurance company. Thus more events were introduced at Ruiru Sports Club, Thika Greens Golf Resort, Nanyuki Sports Club, Nandi Bears and Nyali Golf and Country Club.

However because of Covid-19 pandemic, the Nandi and Nyali legs had to be cancelled until this year. The 2020 Machakos leg was held on January 4, where home player James Ndunda then playing off handicap six carded 37 points in an event played on a tough course then, to become the 2020 King of The Course.

Ndunda is one of the locals drawn for the weekend’s battle with others including past winner Larry Wambua and Railway’s Adelbert Omooria.

Besides the past winners, other Machakos golfers who are also eyeing this year’s title include Victor Mutwii, Ibrahim Lande, John Kitaka, Samuel Theuri, Tito Musyoka, David Mwangangi, Ben Mungata and Collins Kaloki all of whom have been playing well lately. Besides prizes for club members, the sponsors ICEA Lion are also providing a number of other prizes for guests and staff.

Those going for the guests include include the strong contingent from Royal Nairobi Golf Club led by club captain Sylvester Odhiambo, a line-up that includes Maurice Njue, Hesbon Odumbe, Felix Ochieng and Kenya Golf Union chairman Ben Omuodo who is also a member at Machakos Golf Club.

Because of the big entry, 82 players are drawn in the morning from 6am while 76 players will be battling it out in the afternoon. From Machakos, the next stop-over of the series will be Thika Greens Golf Resort on January 15, with Ruiru staging the third event the following day before action moves to Nanyuki on January 23. The Nandi and Nyali events are scheduled for May 29, and October 30.

Winners of those events will then converge at Machakos Golf Club in January 2022 to determine the all legs King of The course champion. 

Meanwhile Limuru Country Club sets its 2021 agenda with the Directors, and Lady Captain year Opener tournament which is being sponsored by Keroche Breweries and where a field of 150 had by Thursday listed their names to tackle the course.

Vet Lab Sports Club has organised an event where outgoing captain Adam Nyaga will hand over the captainship to the new captain George Kingori. The event has also attracted an impressive field.