The Nyanza Golf Club, nestled on the picturesque shores of Lake Victoria, witnessed a thrilling contest as Griffin Owino clinched the Mug of the Month of May with an impressive score of 66 net.
Despite the challenging conditions brought on by the backflow of the lake and heavy rains that have pounded Kisumu in recent weeks, Owino navigated the tricky greens with finesse and determination.
Reflecting on his victory, Owino said, “The conditions were indeed tough, but I focused on my game and took each shot as it came. The key was to stay calm and adapt to the changing course conditions. The heavy rains made the greens unpredictable, but I kept my composure and trusted my training.”
Owino's remarkable performance stood out in a field of competitive golfers. The event also highlighted a range of other winners who excelled in their respective categories.
In the junior category, Tony Nyambogo emerged victorious with a score of 65 net, showcasing his burgeoning talent. Sidney Maina was recognized for his best effort, scoring 17 points, a testament to his perseverance and dedication to the sport.
Dr. Berry Odhiambo had the honor of winning the hidden hole prize, adding a delightful twist to the tournament.
D. Chotai displayed precision and skill to clinch the nearest to pin accolade, while Dr. Rosemary Obara and Joseph Atito demonstrated power and accuracy to win the longest drive for women and men, respectively.
The sponsor categories saw fierce competition as well. Engineer Ken Nyagaga was the runner-up with a score of 75 net, while Seth Oburu impressed with a winning score of 68 net.
In the guest category, Benjamin Koyier and Jack Songwa secured the runners-up and winner spots with scores of 74 net and 75 net, respectively.
In the Division 3, Jackson Ulira triumphed with 37 points, narrowly edging out Daniel Nyerere, who scored 36 points.
Division 2 saw Tabitha Ojwang claimed the top spot with 73 net, followed by Thomas Odongo with 74 net.
Division 1 witnessed David Omollo and Raju Bayani both scored 70 net, with Omollo winning on countback to take the top honor in their division.
The success of the tournament was made possible by the generous support of numerous sponsors, including African Inuka Hospital, Morab Group LTD, Mars Gas Industries, Jajemelo Pizza LTD, Pach Sportswear, Safaricom, Sosa Cottages LTD, Nsekos Kitchen, Sifabe Enterprise, EABL, and Jibu Water.
Their contributions ensured the event ran smoothly and provided a platform for golfers of all levels to showcase their skills.
Dr. Berry Odhiambo, one of the major sponsors said he is commited to the local golfing community.
"We are proud to support the Nyanza Golf Club and sponsor future tournaments. Our goal is to lift the standards of golf in the region and encourage more participation, especially among the youth.
“We believe that by investing in these events, we can help nurture talent and bring more recognition to the sport," said Odhiambo who has contributed massively to golf.
Odhiambo further promised that if everything goes well, he will be sponsoring a bigger tournament in the coming months with a magnitude of attracting national golfers to Kisumu as they seek to expose the region to more tournaments.
“We want Kisumu to grow. It is very wise to give back to the community in due time by elevating one of the most vibrant sports in golf,” added Odhiambo.
Nyanza Golf Club captain Tom Odongo extended his gratitude to the sponsors for their generous support and encouraged more corporate entities to join hands in elevating the club's stature.
"On behalf of Nyanza Golf Club, I extend heartfelt thanks to our sponsors for their unwavering support. Their contributions play a vital role in the success of our events and the overall development of golf in Kisumu.
“I urge more corporate partners to come on board and help us continue to make Nyanza Golf Club a beacon of excellence in the region," captain Odongo emphasized.
Tournament chairman James Onyango Odongo added that the tournament celebrated golfers born in the month of May and they will be many such tourneys until December.
The Nyanza Golf Club continues to be a beacon of golfing excellence in the region, and the Mug of the Month tournament exemplifies the spirit of camaraderie and competitive sportsmanship that defines the club.
As Griffin Owino lifts the trophy, the golfing community celebrates not just his victory, but the shared passion for the game that unites them all.
With each swing, putt, and drive, the golfers at Nyanza Golf Club demonstrated their resilience and skill, making the May edition of the Mug of the Month a memorable and inspiring event for all involved.
Nyanza Golf Club’s Mug of the Month of May winners
Junior winner -Tony Nyambogo score-65 net
Sidney Maina - best effort -17 points
Hidden hole -Dr Berry Odhiambo
Nearest to pin- D. Chotai
Dr. Rosemary Obara - longest drive women
Longest drive men- Joseph Atito
Sponsor runners up -75 net- Engineer Ken Nyagaga
Sponsor winner -Seth Oburu -impressive 68 net
Guest prize runners up-Benjamin Koyier-74 net
Guest prize winner - Jack Songwa-75 net
Division 3 runner up- Daniel Nyerere- 36 points
Division 3winner - Jackson Ulira -37 points
Division 2 runners up- Thomas Odongo- 74 net
Division 2 winner- Tabitha Ojwang -73 net
Division 1 runners up - Raju Bayani -70 net
Division 1 winner- David Omollo- 70 net
Overall winner -Griffin Owino- 66 net