Elly Sorobea from Kitale emerged as the overall winner of the tenth leg of Safaricom Golf Tour event held at the par 73 Kitale Golf Club course.
Playing off handicap 20, the 62-year-old former club captain Sorobea bogeyed several holes in the opening nine where he managed to score 17 points. It was however at the back nine where he doubled his effort and produced an impressive 23 points courtesy of a birdie at hole 15 to claim the overall title with a total of 40 stableford points in the event, which attracted a field of 133 players with the majority coming from South Rift, North Rift, Nyanza, and Western Clubs.
“I want to thank Safaricom for according to us such a wonderful tournament. This is the first time we have had such a tournament with a big turnout. The course today was really good and I enjoyed playing with my fourball. Though I had some few challenges on chipping in my first nine, my second was much better but that enabled me to win the tournament on countback. I will need to work on my cheeping and practice more as I prepare to compete in the grand finale,” said Mr. Elly Sorobea, overall winner.
He now joins other winners of the past nine events of the tour to battle it out in the grand finale at Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi County in August.
Meanwhile, it was also a great day for Nandi Bears golfers with junior golfer Zaddock Tanui producing an impressive 40 points to clinch the men’s category ahead of Jonah Kosgei with similar points.
Lydia Jebichii, the winner of the fourth leg of the tour and Dr. Kimeli Mutai, both from Nandi, also dominated to claim the Longest Drive Ladies and Men’s titles respectively.
Gracemary Karira also posted 40 points to claim the top spot in the Ladies’ category, ahead of Philis Kisuna with also 40 points.
Posting the best first nine score was Philip Shiharsy on 20 points, while the best second nine award was claimed by Elizabeth Akinyi on 21 points. In the subsidiary section, the Safaricom Staff winner title was claimed by Emmanuel Cheruiyot on 33 points while the Guest award was taken by Risper Baraza after posting 25 points.
Meanwhile, the Kitale tournament has attracted over 50 juniors taking part in the juniors’ tournament today, Sunday 12th June, with over 60 aspiring juniors attending the golf clinics at the same facility.
The event culminates in the caddie’s tournament on Monday 13th June. The caddie’s tournament speaks to what Safaricom set out to achieve at the onset of this series, which to give all those interested in golf a chance to participate in the tournament. The caddie’s tournament has attracted over 150 participants from across the country.
The action now takes a short break and will resume on 9th July with the eleventh leg to be held in Nakuru.