One day, they will say my name

Soile Malilong tees off during the June Ladies Medal tournament at Nakuru Golf Club, on Saturday. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Soile Malilong, 12, won the June Ladies Medal Special category prize at Nakuru Golf Club over the weekend.

During the 18-hole meet, Frankie Gichuru shot 4-under-par-69 to win in Division 1 with a score of 38 and 31 ahead of veteran golfer Susan Gichuki, who finished second with a score of 75 nett.

Malilong was one of the 96 golfers who participated in the tournament. She was inspired to take up golf by top Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) player Isaack Makhoha, who has a hearing impairment.

Makhoha, the 2020 Amateur Matchplay champion, is the first Kenyan to win a bronze medal at the Deaflympics Summer Games.

Soile aspires to play golf at the highest level and is following in Makhoha's footsteps.

Despite her hearing impairment, it hasn't detered her from making a difference in how she interacts with her peers.

She finds it enjoyable to play golf alongside her peers, some of whom also have hearing impairments, as they can easily communicate through sign language during their rounds.

"One day, they will shout and applaud my when I win on a big stage!" she said through her interpreter.

In Division 2, Beatrice Bisonga posted a score of 70 nett to triumph, followed by Margaret Mutwasi with a score of 72 nett and Florence Wafula emerging as the top performer in Division 3, with Millycent Madegwa in second place.

In the Subsidiary division, Christopher Makomere scored 67 nett for victory, edging out Augustine Kipkemei with a score of 68 nett.

Peter Gathogo won the Junior prize with a score of 74 nett, and the senior winner prize was won by Prakash Shah, with 73 nett.