-Kanika beat a team of 210 players including Seniors, Veterans, single handicappers’ and Junior colleagues to clinch the overall title.
-At Baobab, Abel Cheboi was celebrated after emerging overall winner, though the 290 players missed sinking two separate hole in one either at the par-3 hole 8 or at the par 3 hole 17, to walk home with a brand-new car, a Mahindra Scorpio-N SUV by Simba Corporation and a Mercedes Benz GLC43 Sports Tourer by Khushi Motors Mombasa.
-Nyali Club Vice-Captain Sanjay Kotecha appreciated the I&M Bank for their support in continuing to demonstrate its commitment to golf and to the wider sporting community while Baobab Club Captain Less Baillie appreciated the success of the Navy Commander tournament saying it celebrated the strong ties between the Military and the civilian community.
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS.
It was a super Saturday for Coast golf with two flagship tournaments that teed off simultaneously, the I&M Bank at the par 71 Nyali Golf & Country Club in Mombasa County and the Kenya Navy Commander’s (Maj.Gen. Paul Otieno) trophy at the par 72 PGA-rated Baobab Ridge in Vipingo, Kilifi County.
An estimated 290 players at Baobab missed sinking two separate hole in one either at the par-3 hole 8 or at the par 3 hole 17, to walk home with a brand-new car, a Mahindra Scorpio-N SUV by Simba Corporation and a Mercedes Benz GLC43 Sports Tourer by Khushi Motors Mombasa.
At Nyali, 12 years old girl Kanika Shah stole the show beating a team of 210 players including Seniors, Veterans, single handicappers’ and Junior colleagues, while at Baobab, military-civilian camaraderie Abel Cheboi was celebrated after emerging overall winner.
Playing off handicap 36 Kanika, displayed one of the biggest shocks of this year’s Coast calendar to clinch the overall prize by carding an impressive 44 stable ford points in the day long 18 holes’ tournament supported by I&M Bank under the theme ‘Great Golf-Great Company-One Unforgettable Day.’
“I just came to enjoy my golf and learn from the big players but I am so happy and a bit surprised to win overall. Thank you to my parents, my coach and the Club for believing in juniors and to the I&M Bank for putting up this wonderful tournament. This win gives me more confidence to keep practicing and I hope more girls of my age will come and play golf,” said Kanika who started playing golf at the age of five years.
The Best gross of the day went to handicap 1 William Kaguta with 74 gross, while in the men category, Club Vice captain Sanjay Kotecha playing off handicap 15 won with a count back score of 42 points, tying handicap 10 Vimal Ranpura, as handicap 25 Nyundo Katemboh emerged third on 40 points.
In the ladies’ section, handicap 8 Sylvia Gabil emerged winner with 39 points, followed by handicap 32 Rapthi De Silva on 38 points, beating off handicap 13 Christine Ockotch to third slot after tied.
Junior side saw Alyssa Jamal off 8 handicap claim the top spot with 38 points, while best senior award was won by handicap 27 Raphael Thyaka who brought 40 points.
I&M Bank Staff winner was Shameer Patel with 32 points off 26 and guest winner’s prize went to handicap 33 Steve Mulonga stole the show with 44 points.
Other winners included, the High handicappers-(Farida Saeed)-41 points, nearest to pin Men (S.M Kamau) and Lady (Deborah Wamalwa) and Best efforts winner (Kenneth Mosop)-21 points.
Nyali Club Vice-Captain Sanjay Kotecha appreciated the Bank for their support in continuing to demonstrate its commitment to golf and to the wider sporting community.
“Your support has enabled us to bring together golfers, friends, business partners and members of the community for a day filled with good competition. We look forward to strengthening this relationship, in the years ahead. To all the golfers who participated thank you. Golf, teaches us patience, discipline, integrity, humility, resilience and also provides a wonderful opportunity to build friendships and relationships that extend well beyond the 18th hole,” said Kotecha.
While at Baobab, Abel Cheboi who plays off 21 tamed the windy course superbly with 40 points to claim the Kenya Navy Commander’s (Maj.Gen Paul Otieno) trophy, organized by Kenya Defense Force Golf Association (KDFGA) and hosted Kenya Navy Golf Club.
“Winning this is an honor, because it celebrates our Navy and discipline. This course does not forgive. I kept my ball in play. The course demands patience and I just kept my ball in play and let the putter do the work. Thank you all,” said Cheboi.
In the KDFGA category, the Division A winner was handicap 5 Brian Simbi who had a score of 37 points and major Elvis Murunga playing off handicap 8 carded 36 points to take the runners up slot while third placed handicap 8 Major B. Tororei carded 35 points.
The Division B winner on 38 points was handicap 21 major Chirchir on 38 points, while handicap 22 P. Odhiambo on 36 points and handicap 23 Major General T. Lokolool with 34 points were the runners up and third placed respectively.
Doris Wangari playing off handicap 32 took charge of the Ladies, carding 39 points to emerge the winner as handicap 12 Christine Kamais claimed the runners up slot with 31 points and taking the third place on 36 points was handicap 21 Major Dr. Mercy Kinyanjui.
In the member category men winner’s prize 37 points was clinched by handicap 24 Patrick Ndunda, while handicap 35 Tim Williams was the runners up with 32 points.
Malindi’s handicap 20 Moureen Obunga brought 38 points to win the lady’s member prize and runner up slot was claimed by handicap 19 Elizabeth Rune with a score of 36 points.
Other who topped were guest-(Mercy Ndegwa)-43 points, Runner-up (Billy Ocharo)-42 points, Sponsor-(Not listed/to be confirmed), Senior-(S.M. Wambugu)-31 points, Veteran-(General Moses Oyugi)-36 points, Boys-(Clement Rama)-36 points, Runner-up (Joseph Rumo)-33 points, Third (Elvis Ezekia)-32 points, Girls-Hawe Cindy)-40 points, Runner-up (June Lodukai)-29 points and third (Lucy Wangari)-25 points.
Baobab Club Captain Less Baillie appreciated the success of the tournament saying it celebrated the strong ties between the Military and the civilian community.
“We appreciate the large numbers of the players today and are happy to host this successful event. The Navy has been a great friend of our Club, supporting talent and encouraging discipline through sports. We ready to host them again,” said Baillie.
Kenya Navy Golf Club Chairman Lt.Col. Epapra Lagat said this year’s edition was part of the ongoing Ministry of Defense wellness program to build fitness, discipline and strong civil-military ties that comes with a mouth-watering twist.
“I thank all the players and hoped all of us enjoyed every moment at both in and off the course and we also extend our sincere appreciation to the Club for a job well done, “said Lagat.
Other sponsors of the tournament were among others the Kingdom Bank, Equity Bank, Sarova Whitesands, Hilka Venture, Pepsi, Rum, Makupa Transit Shade, Marina English Point and Gaps.
ENDS.
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