Kisii Club golfers dominate at Nyanza Club

Wycliffe Ayienda lines his putt on the par-three fourth-hole at the Nyanza Golf Club. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

A contingent of golfers from Kisii Golf Club claimed the majority of titles during the seventh leg of the Duracoat Golf Masters staged at the nine-hole Nyanza Golf Club over the weekend.

Despite heavy rains pounding the lakeside region over the past four days and an overflowing Lake Victoria partially submerging sections of the course, the conditions failed to dampen the field’s spirit.

The event is part of a 13-leg series, with 12 qualifiers from each meet qualifying for the grand finale to be held at the Mount Kipipiri Golf Resort in November, where over Sh1 million will be at stake.

The Kisumu leg marked a major milestone for the nationwide series, bringing the total number of participants across the seven rounds to nearly 1,400.

A record-breaking turnout of 106 golfers, the highest field assembled at Nyanza Golf Club this year, took to the course to battle it for the make-or-break qualifying slots.

However, it was the formidable squad from Kisii Golf Club, led by their club chairman, Wycliffe Ayienda who dominated the leaderboard.

Ayienda scored 40 stableford points to deny the Men winner, Fernandez Korir from Kericho Golf Club also with a similar score of 40 stableford points, the top honours.

Andrew Kombo, another Kisii Golf Clubs’ luminary, walked away with the Men winner third prize upon registering a score of 39 stableford points, while Kihoto Njuguna didn’t disappoint at home after garnering 37 stableford points to secure the Men winner third title.

“Nyanza is a challenging course, especially with the lake rising, the fairways have become tighter, but the greens tested everyone today,” noted Ayienda while delivering his winner's speech.

“The greens behaved differently, holding for some shots and not for others. Ultimately, it was staying focused on a tough course alongside great playing partners that brought out my best game to secure this win.”