-This was the last local qualifying event in the series that teed off in March at the Kenya Railway Golf Club, Nairobi;
-Meanwhile, Atsango and Ndirangu Shine at Karen Country Club Lady Captain’s Prize (Betty Gacheru);
DENNIS MURIMI NJIRU-IMG KENYA LIMITED;
Home player Stephen Gichari put up a spirited fight to emerge the overall winner at the final qualifying leg of the 2024 NCBA golf series played at the Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort in Naivasha over the weekend.
This was the last local qualifying event in the series that teed off in march at the Kenya Railway Golf Club in Nairobi, with qualifying events not only across the country but also across the region to Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda.
Gichari led a contingent of five other players from the club to book their slots for the grand finale set for next month at the Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi from a pack of more than 150 golfers who had turned out at Naivasha.
The Naivasha event saw the top male and female finishers in Divisions One and Two, and the overall winner in Division Three, together with the overall Junior winner reserve their spots for the finale at Muthaiga on the 29th of November 2024.
Playing off handicap 5, the overall winner Gichari returned an impressive score of 36 points to claim the top prize on top of hitting the closest to the pin on hole number 8.
Sissel Rene scored 36 points as well to emerge the lady winner as George Mukundi and Agnes Githinji claim the men’s and ladies’ Division Two prizes respectively as well as booking their slots in the finale.
Handicap 17 Mukundi carded 36 points as well while Githinji managed 29 points playing off handicap 23.
Svein Rene (Handicap 29) was the overall winner in Division Three after posting 37 points while Sacha Abbonizio won the junior category after accumulating 35 points for the day.
The staff category was won by Agnes Nyambura who also had the closest to the pin hit among the ladies while Danson Ndichu emerged as the guest winner.
NCBA Branch Manager, Naivasha, Frank Matheah said, ” This year’s series has been exceptional, and we have seen it grow in terms of the participants, the number of events, as well as the increase in the number of regional events and this makes us look forward to the finale. Congratulations to all the winners for their exemplary display on the course. From their hard work, they have earned themselves the chance to play at Muthaiga next month and rightfully so. We wish them well and hope that they will represent this great club well.”
One more regional qualifying tournament is set to be in Tanzania next month to determine the final team that will book a slot for the season finale.
Meanwhile, there was pomp and color at the annual Karen Country Club Lady Captain’s Prize tournament on Saturday as Atsango Lwande and Ndirangu Kariuki emerged victorious.
The occasion marked the end of Betty Gacheru’s one year tenure as the Lady Captain, with the winning Atsango set to take over.
Atsango had a comfortable 45 points win with a three-point gap ahead of Njeri Gitau who finished second on 42 points as Muthoni Muturi settled for a third-place finish with 41 points.
However, it was a close call for the men as Kariuki beat Kibe Mwangi on countback after both carded 44 points.
It was a case of countback again for the third place as both Alastair Campbell and William Mayiani returned 41 points, with Mayiani clinching the third spot.
The day also celebrated overall performance, with Kate Ngotho winning the prestigious GOTY (Golfer of the Year) Trophy with a total of 30.50 points.
Her consistent performance throughout the season has established her as a standout at the club.
Speaking at the event, the outgoing Lady Captain Betty Gacheru expressed her gratitude for the chance to serve at the club the past year.
“Being Lady Captain has been a humbling and deeply rewarding experience. I have learnt to be more patient and more engaging. I am proud of what we’ve accomplished together the past year, and I look forward to seeing our club reach new heights. This occasion has been a testament of what we have built and continue to build at this great club. Thank you for making this experience so memorable. As I conclude my tenure as Lady Captain, I am deeply grateful for the support that each of you has shown. It has been an incredible journey to witness the growth, resilience, and achievements of our members,” she stated.
Pettie Ndolo’s 69 points saw her win the eclectic gross category ahead of Louisa Gitau and Kate Ngotho who scored 70 and 72 gross respectively.
In the nett category Lucy Gakinya beat Ngotho on countback after both carded 51 points with Ndolo settling for third with 52 nett.
In the junior category, Muthoni Kioi finished on 39 points ahead of Mugambi Mbugua and Tyler Belyon who both finished on 35 points as Mbugua went on to win on countback.
Junior golfer Hazel Kuria and Emmanuel Agengo had the longest drives while Dorcas Mbalanya and Arimi Kimathi hit nearest to the pin.
ENDS;
NOTE;
WANT YOUR GOLF/SPORTS/BUSINESS/ENVIRONMENT/HEALTH/OPINIONS/SPONSORED CONTENTS OR BUSINESS PROMO FEATURED IN THIS SITE?
KINDLY CONTACT US;
mmaarufu@gmail.com/golfnewslinks@gmail.com
Phone/What’s up…+254726614604/+254722415598.
