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How Safaricom’s golf tour in Nyanza has demonstrated Kenya’s golfing power and spirit among women and upcoming junior golfers.

Safaricom’s golf tour in Nyanza is one of the events that has come out to demonstrate the golfing power and spirit among women and junior golfers in the country. In a colourful event held over the weekend at the Lakeside city of Kisumu, Nyanza Golf Club, women and juniors showcased their prowess to shine during the three-day tour tournaments.

Thirty-year-old Nandi based Lydia Jebichii was crowned the winner of the fourth leg of the Safaricom Golf Tour at Nyanza Golf Club after posting 47 points, thus becoming the first female golfer to secure the top spot in the series in the seniors’ tournament.

Playing off a handicap of 21, Jebichii fended off the challenge from G. Owino, B.V Patel and B. Patel, holing a birdie on the sixth, ninth and eighteenth holes and par on the rest of the holes to emerge the tournament’s winner.

“The course and particularly the greens were perfect, which enabled me to play well today. I had the ball under control and struck it really nicely after teeing off. Though I didn’t utilise a few chances at some holes, I am glad the performance was up to mark.” Said Jebichii.

Saturday’s senior tournament drew 135 senior golfers from Kisumu and its environs, including Western region golf clubs. The tournament also ran concurrently with the Safaricom Golf Outreach dubbed ‘Golf Mtaani’ held at Lolwe Grounds, which gave over 200 young people an opportunity to learn basic skills about golf.

The outreach is part of the Safaricom Golf Tour, which aims to nurture and grow talents among the youth in the country. It is also part of the tour’s objective to make the sport accessible to the public by taking golf at their doorsteps.

“I am happy to see a huge turnout in today’s golf outreach programme. The turnout was equally great in both Nanyuki and Limuru, where we’ve had similar programmes. For those who get a chance to attend the outreach, we teach them some basic skills about golf, and I am happy a good number have shown the ability to play good golf.” Said Peter Ndegwa, CEO Safaricom

The juniors’ tournament drew over 50 junior golfers from the region saw 12-year-old Cindy Hawi and 20-year-old Lucas Nyambogo named the overall winners of the fourth leg of the Safaricom Tour Junior tournament par 70 golf facility.

After the duo recorded an outstanding 95 and 85 points respectively to triumph in the tournament.

“I started playing golf last year after developing the passion from my mother. She has been very supportive and always encouraged me to keep going. Golf is a fun sport, and you get to learn a lot as a player; hence I encourage my fellow junior golfers out there to try it. The tournament was fun, and I thank Safaricom for this junior event which helps young golfers like me showcase and grow our talents,” Cindy Hawi.

Safaricom Golf Tour continues to traverse through the country, tapping and nurturing talents in the sport. The tour has now visited four regions, including Nanyuki, Limuru and Nairobi (Muthaiga), attracting over 850 senior and junior golfers in all the tournaments. This also includes outreaches and golf clinics for junior players.