Hard Hitting Eliud Siganga popularly known as ‘Sigi’ within the golfing community has a highly lustrous golfing future. He has shuttered the glass ceiling, participating in local, regional, and international events, further deepening Kenya’s sports prowess.
Siganga, who started his sports journey as a rugby player slowly transitioned into golf, morphing into the player he has become today.
Interestingly, he began his golf journey back in 2009, when he was posted to Mumias town by his employer, KCB. Most of his friends were employees of Mumias Sugar Company and were golf oficionados. Every weekend, they would participate in golf events. Siganga was always left behind and decided to one day follow them, the rest is history.
Sigi made major forays on the rugby pitch winning the Kenya Cup with University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine in 1989 and 1990, Kenya Harlequin in 1996,1999 and 2003.
He also won the Enterprise Cup with Quins in 1996 and 1999, he was also a Chairman, Rhinos Rugby Franchise – 2003 to 2007, won the then Bamburi Rugby Super series in 2003 and 2007. Siganga has also Played for Kenya Rugby 15s aside (Simbas).
Aside from his achievements in rugby, the former Western Bulls Rugby Club Chairman has also served as Chairman of the Kakamega Sports Club in 2016- 2018. He also the current president of Lions Club, Kakamega. He has also served as a Member of Budget and Economic forum, County Government of Kakamega from 2012- 2017.
His prowess at the golf course cannot be underscored, he has dominated major tournaments he has participated in and has etched his name in the history books as a formidable golfer.
Some of his achievements include bagging the KCB East Africa Golf Tour staff winner at the Nakuru legs both in 2013 and 2024. Also, the Kakamega and Nyanza editions in 2023. Sigi is the reigning Inter Bank Golf champion after clinching the competition at Sigona in October 2023.
The father of one says the journey has been a rollercoaster with regular ups and downs. One day he plays very good but most of the time it’s terrible, but he keeps on playing as it is very addictive. Unlike rugby where you could implement whatever you have practiced, golf on the other hand is challenging, “You hit the ball the same way every time but at times you shank, and it takes a different trajectory.”
He savored his time playing at Mumias Golf course which forced players to focus more on course management than distance because of the very many hazards.
A tight golf course it was unlike Kakamega which has some of the widest fairways and is always luscious due to the torrential downpour in the Western region.
Sigi hopes his young daughter Cynthia will fall in love with the sport in the future. Currently she enjoys swimming, but golf is a game she may play in the future.
Kakamega Sports Club is at the forefront of championing talent development, he says they’re nurturing the next generation of golfers because he strongly believes if he had started golf at a younger age, he could have been playing off single handicap by now but unfortunately most of the golfers get into the sport when their “backs are too stiff” to perfect our golf swings.
From starting his golf when Kenya One Didmus Indiza was a resident golfer at Mumias Sugar, Siganga has established himself as a household name in Kenya and beyond, he says it will take concerted efforts to build the sport.
