The former Senior World Cross Country Championship ace attributed his victory to an intense one-month preparations he had on the range before embarking on any major contest.

After turning to  golf five months ago, former World Junior  5000m men’s bronze medallist Cyrus Kataron can now afford a smile in the gentlemen’s sport. This was after he fired 39 stableford points to emerge the winner in the Standard County  Golf Classic Series held at the Eldoret Club.

His first victory in the game, which saw him floor other 106 contestants to the gong, has taken Kataron,46, over the moon.

“I was recently introduced to the game by former Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos. Tolgos has been like a coach and mentor to me. Following this victory, I can say embracing  golf is the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. “Because I was slotted among these seasoned players, I was so determined to beat them, and I’m glad it happened,” Kataron said.

“I hit countless balls on the course to perfect my shots, but what motivated me was the batch that I had on the course, the group was composed of Tolgos and former tournament winner Wesley Kiprono,” he explained.

The former Senior World  Cross Country Championship ace attributed his victory to an intense one-month preparations he had on the range before embarking on any major contest. The handicap 26-hard hitter said he will continue with the same spirit of practicing as he prepares for future tournaments.

Just like Tolgos, who came with his wife, daughter and son to the tournament, Kataron has plans to introduce his family to the sport, saying golf has helped him not only with fitness, but to expand his social capital through networking.

“This is a good tournament that is helping to create awareness about environmental conservation, this contest should be held more and more in Eldoret to remind us of the importance of greening our surrounding.”

In his hey-days as an international athlete, Kataron bagged bronze in men’s 5000m in Santiago, Chile during the 2000 World Junior Championships, finishing behind the legendary Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia and his Kenyan compatriot and race winner Gordon Mugi.

Kataron finished fourth at the 2001 Senior World Cross Country Championship in Oostende, Belgium before incessant injuries drove him out of athletics, forcing him to embrace business and farming for a living. “Our partnership in this tournament with other sponsors goes beyond measure,” said Standard Group PLC Editor-In-Chief Ochieng Rapuro.