Chebet Claims Biggest Career Win at Kenya Seed Golf Tournament
With barely a year of playing golf, rising star Prisca Chebet recorded the biggest victory of her golfing journey after clinching the Kenya Seed Golf Tournament title at the nine-hole Nandi Bears Club in Nandi County.
Playing off handicap 30, Chebet carded an impressive 66 nett to emerge overall champion after returning identical scores of 48 on both nines for a total gross score of 96, by leading home golfers scoop all medals on offer.
Enjoying home-course advantage, Chebet displayed remarkable composure throughout the round. She sank pars on the 2nd and 8th holes, dropped single shots on the 4th, 7th and 9th, while registering double bogeys on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 6th holes in the opening nine.
She returned strongly on the back nine with pars on the 11th, 12th and 16th holes. Chebet bogeyed the 13th and 17th while the remaining holes yielded double bogeys.
The eloquent golfer attributed her victory to dedication and hard work in training rather than luck.
“I really train a lot just to ensure that I get better each day in any tournament. I have been playing golf for the last one year and this is my major win. I have had one or two wins but this is the major one,” said Chebet.
She added that favourable weather conditions and supportive flight mates played a key role in her success.
“The weather condition and good playing mates were good. I enjoyed the round of golf this evening,” she added.
At the same time, Kenya Seed Company Head of Internal Audit Leonard Kibet said the golf series has strengthened the company’s relationship with farmers and consumers across the country.
“This is the best way of giving back to our farmers who have supported us all along. We are in the planting season so we want to support farmers. We have run this series to ensure that our farmers are appreciated and acquainted and know exactly where to buy our seeds,” he said.
Kibet noted that the series, which has already been staged in Eldoret, Kitale, Kakamega and now Nandi Bears, has helped the company connect directly with stakeholders.
“We also want to appreciate the government for giving us subsidy through NCPB as we celebrate 70 years of producing quality seeds to keep up with the expanding market in the entire country and the region,” he added.
Club captain Isaac Kuto praised the sponsorship, saying it gives both the club and its golfers exposure at the national level while nurturing talent from grassroots development.
“This is a big sponsorship and we benefit a lot by exposing our club and members and we look forward to hosting more events. I must admit that Nandi Bears has raw talent and we begin from junior level,” said Kuto.
“The top golfers we have now in the club came from the junior ranks. We also upgrade our caddies to be golfers and they make very good golfers. Most of them have not trained anywhere, they practice hard and they may not have the best equipment but they use what they have,” he added.
Kenya Seed Head of Corporate Communication Jane Gitau said the company is marking 70 years of service while preparing for another era of growth and excellence.
“We are celebrating 70 years of existence and excellence in serving farmers in the country and the region. We want to thank farmers who have been consuming our products. We have over 60 varieties of seeds. We feed every family in this country,” she said.
“It is a time when we talk to our farmers and stakeholders as we turn 70 as we begin another journey of years. The entire Kenya Seed family is happy to consume our products,” she added.
Back on the course, handicap 15 Hosea Barno and Gideon Serem finished second and third respectively after posting 68 and 69 nett scores.
The gross title was won by Phelix Cheruiyot with 73, edging former captain Kimeli Mutai 76.
Mike Cheruiyot, Samson Sang and Jackline Metto claimed Division One, Two and Three honours respectively with scores of 70, 72 and 73 nett.
Home player Lydia Chebichii and Eileen Jepchumba emerged first and second nine winners with 34 and 32 nett respectively.
Cheruiyot and Chebichii also returned to the podium to receive the men’s and ladies’ longest drive prizes on the 17th hole, while Collins Kebenei won the nearest-to-the-pin award on the 14th hole.