Safaricom Golf Tour: Grand finale at Vipingo Ridge
Club house shot of Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort course taken on February 10, 2022. The Safaricom Golf Tour series grand finale will be held here this weekend.
What you need to know:
- Motley mix of winners from teen Kiplenge to septuagenarian Riahoh
- After 14 legs, 42 qualifiers square it out with others for top honours at the internationally recognized course
All is finally set for the grand finale of the inaugural Safaricom Golf Tour at the European Tour PGA-recognised Baobab Course at Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort in Kilifi County this weekend.
The event, a culmination of the 14-leg tour launched in January at the semi-public Golf Park, has attracted a field of more than 100 players including 42 qualifiers from the 14 legs.
The focus will be on the overall winners of the 14 legs who include some Juniors winners like Nakuru’s 17- year-old Kelvin Kiplenge who produced an impressive score of 41 points to beat a big field of over 150 players.
The other junior who managed to beat the senior players, was Limuru Country Club’s Leo Gitonga who scored one of the highest number of points -- 45, though Alice Awiti, a Safaricom staffer based in Kisumu posted, 49 points at Eldoret, an unmatched record.
The list of winners includes 70 year-old Don Riahoh, who won the Karen leg with 43 points, while 62-year-old Elly Sorobea topped in Kitale.
The line-up of winners includes three ladies.
Alice Awiti, Lydia Jebuchii from Nandi emerged top at the Nyanza leg while Elizabeth Njau closed the series with a 42 points win at Royal last weekend.
But Nanyuki Sports Club’s Cyprian Bundi, a former caddie, remained the only single figure handicapper to book his name for the Vipingo trip during, at the opening leg of the series at his home course of Nanyuki.
The leg champions will play against some of the men and lady winners who also booked their ticket to Vipingo during the preliminary rounds.
“I am really excited about what our Golf Tour has been able to achieve.
“Through the spirit of Tuinuane our series has been able to discover, nurture, lift and expose new talent from across the country.
“From what I have seen through our junior tournaments, I am confident that we have a great future as a golfing nation. I,” said Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa.
Legs held at:
Nanyuki Sports Club
Limuru Country Club
MuthaigaGolf Club
Nyanza Golf Club
Machakos Golf Club
Eldoret Golf Club
Karen Country Club
Nyali Golf & Country Club
Kericho Golf Club
Kitale Golf Club
Nakuru Golf Club
Kenya Airforce Golf Club
Vet Lab Sports Club
Royal Nairobi Golf Club
