Nairobi | 3 November 2025

Golf has, over the years, become more than just a sport for me — it has evolved into a space where the insurance industry comes alive in a different, refreshing way. From early-morning tee-offs to post-tournament networking, the game has offered a unique blend of competition, camaraderie, and continuous learning.

One of the highlights of my calendar is the annual Insurance Institute of Kenya (IIK) Golf Tournament, usually held at the prestigious Royal Nairobi Golf Club. This event brings together players from across the insurance ecosystem — underwriters, brokers, adjusters, and corporate leaders — all meeting on neutral ground, quite literally.

During the 2023 Tournament, my 4-ball included three enthusiastic amateur golfers from the wider insurance industry and the exceptionally skilled W. Mastermet, who went on to emerge as the overall tournament winner.

We may have surrendered a few golf balls to water hazards and the lush vegetation surrounding the fairways, but the day was filled with laughter, shared stories, technical conversations, and genuine industry connection. And as always, the engagements spilled naturally into the famed “19th Hole” — an evening of networking, exchanging insights, and reconnecting with colleagues in a relaxed and energising environment.

Where Golf Meets Loss Adjusting: A Unique Claims Perspective

One of the more unexpected joys of playing golf has been seeing how the game overlaps with my work as a loss adjuster. Every so often, I get called in to handle a Hole-in-One insurance claim — and despite all the excitement around them, these moments are incredibly rare.

To put it into perspective:-

The probability of an amateur golfer making a Hole-in-One is about 1 in 12,500. For professionals, it improves slightly to around 1 in 2,500. Even Tiger Woods, with a career spanning decades at the top of the sport, has only recorded 20 Hole-in-Ones in his lifetime.

So when it happens during a corporate or sponsored tournament, it’s a big deal — not just for the player, but also for the sponsor, the insurer, and everyone behind the scenes.

Most Hole-in-One prizes today are substantial. It could be a new car, an exotic holiday, premium equipment, or even a cash prize that turns a good day at the golf course into an unforgettable one. With that level of exposure, insurers naturally expect the claim to be verified properly.

This is where the adjuster steps in.

The process is part investigation, part storytelling. You start by confirming the basics: that the shot was made on the right hole, during the official round, and from the correct tee box. You speak to the witnesses — marshals, fellow golfers, tournament officials — many of whom are still buzzing from the moment they watched. Then you confirm the yardage, not just what’s printed on the scorecard but the actual measured distance set on the day.

From there, you check the prize arrangements. Was the prize agreed beforehand? Was the insurer notified? Was everything set up correctly? With many modern tournaments, you’ll also have video footage — a tee-box recording, a green-side camera, or someone who happened to be filming at just the right moment.

Eventually, all of this comes together into a clear, objective report showing what happened and whether the terms of the policy were met. Hole-in-One claims may be rare, but they are genuinely enjoyable — a blend of sporting magic and the technical precision our profession demands.

How This Experience Enriches My Work at SCA

My involvement in golf — both as a player and as a claims practitioner — has shaped the way I approach training within the insurance industry.

At Specialty Claims Academy (SCA), we believe that technical learning should remain practical, relatable, and grounded in real-world scenarios. Golf tournaments, and the unique claim situations that come with them, provide excellent case studies for:

• Special risks underwriting

• Event insurance

• Liability assessments

• Unusual claim categories such as Hole-in-One

• Documentation and fraud prevention in sports-related claims

These experiences enrich the training sessions we deliver, offering participants useful insights into risks they may not encounter every day but still need to understand.

Beyond the Fairways

Golf continues to be a powerful bridge in my professional journey — offering a space to build relationships, strengthen industry networks, exchange knowledge, and simply enjoy the spirit of sportsmanship.

I look forward to many more tournaments, more learning opportunities, and perhaps even witnessing the next Hole-in-One event that turns into another memorable claim.

📧 training@specialtyclaims.co.ke
🌐 www.specialtyclaims.co.ke

Author:
Fredrick A. Oloo
BCom (Ins.), Dip CII, Dip CILA
Lead Trainer & Director – Specialty Claims Academy (SCA)

( Also: Managing Director – Niche Loss Adjusters & Marine Surveyors Ltd
Council Member – Institute of Loss Adjusters & Risk Surveyors (IARS – Kenya)
Committee Member – Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA – UK)’s Future Focus Special Interest Group