How golf gave Mudanyi brothers platform to earn a living

Golf is the island that surrounded Edwin and his elder brother Nelson while growing up at the historic Eldoret Club, where their father Mudanyi was arguably a great chef.

The brothers would occasionally take a bite of their father's delicacies before rushing outside to either watch, play or support a game that would be ongoing at the club.

Tournaments were endless and plenty; the pristine golf course was ever busy, teeming at the weekends, when cutthroat competitions were rife, with contestants from all over the country.

Through intermingling with players and the visitors, Edwin and Nelson were able to fully embrace the sport.

And within no time, Nelson soon found himself deep in the game – both as a caddie and as a contestant.

Nelson, who was six years older than Edwin, soon rose up the ranks – from playing juniors to amateur and then to professional golf.

And as a good player, he was able to gain experience and exposure that would see him relocate to Nairobi.

His fast-rising prowess in the game inspired younger Edwin, who soon joined him after Nelson had gifted him with a golf kit.

It was from this juncture that the pair’s rivalry on the course became eminent, as Edwin badly wanted to be like his older brother Nelson in all aspects of the sport. The urge was so intense he wanted to outshine the master.

"I have been walking under the shadows of Nelson, throughout my golfing life," Edwin told Standard Sports.

"He gave me my first golf club, he opened so many doors for me. He gave me opportunities to play in the junior golf events in my younger days. And now we share the same platform as Professional Golfers of Kenya," Edwin explained.

Edwin admits intentions to outshine his brother on the course when he came of age in the sport.

"There have been lots of these occasions, but as a player you mature with age," he says.

"I'm a very competitive person, and because my brother was my mentor, I wanted to just play like him or be better than him, which I sometimes did on the course when we became pro golfers."

He continued: "It always feels nice to 'beat' him, but he always has an upper hand in terms of experience and exposure, but when it comes to form and ability to think and play, my game management is always top whenever we go to unfamiliar courses."

Apart from their own positive sibling rivalry that has built their potential on the course, the duo also has occasional inter-family contests against their cousins – the Simwa brothers (Nelson and Boniface)- whom they grew up with in Eldoret.

And as the younger Simwa (Nelson) would put it: "During these family competitions, the older ones battle each other, and the younger ones do the same. So, I always take on Edwin as my brother Boniface fights Nelson. The family contests have helped us to strengthen bonds with our extended blood relatives."

The sport has been a blessing to the Mudanyis. From the game, they have been able to gain meaningful employment and take care of their parents at home.

Through this sport, the Mudanyis were able to board their first plane rides. They had countless opportunities travelling and playing for the national teams-both junior and senior. They have also managed to play pro golf contests in South Africa, West Africa and across the world.

"Apart from playing, I’m currently making a living as a resident pro at the Karen Golf and Country Club, while my brother Nelson also does the same at Muthaiga Golf Club," Edwin reiterated.

"Nelson had a priceless opportunity to attend the prestigious Golf Academy of America which turned him into a tour playing professional under the TG Golf Pro in the gap period of 2012-2016, where he managed to contest the coveted Sunshine Tour series in South Africa.

"The exposure he had was such a benchmark, as it inspired me during the Sunshine Development Tour Qualifying School in Naivasha last month, where I booked a ticket to South Africa to take part in the Sunshine Tour Final Qualifying Stage in Johannesburg.

"Having Nelson as a brother has been such a blessing, it has opened so many doors for me. It has inspired me to greater heights."