-Mwendah thanked the Mulembe Golfing Society, Diamond Leisure, and everyone who cheered her on, saying the win is for all the ladies who believe they can win, and the Club’s Lady Captain, it was indeed a win that lit up the clubhouse and a win that will be remembered in Diani for a long time.
-Organized by the Mulembe Golfing Society, the proud golfing arm of the Ingokho community from Western Kenya, the extravaganza was more than just a tournament, it was a homecoming by the sea, it was Mulembe pride and it was Ingokho unity in full swing.
-The Society Chairman Eric Nyongesa hailed the golfers, the hosts, and the spirit of the event, saying the Golf Extravaganza in Diani has been more than a tournament, it has been an Ingokho family reunion and that as sons and daughters of Western Kenya, they came to Diani to celebrate who they are, a community that loves golf, loves family, and loves togetherness.
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS.
It was golf, it was family, it was a festival and Diani delivered it all.
The Mulembe Golf Extravaganza took over the stunning Diamond Leisure Golf Course in Diani, South Coast of Mombasa, over the weekend, bringing together golfers from across Kenya for two days of fierce competition, laughter, culture and celebration.
Organized by the Mulembe Golfing Society, the proud golfing arm of the Ingokho community from Western Kenya, the extravaganza was more than just a tournament, it was a homecoming by the sea, it was Mulembe pride and it was Ingokho unity in full swing.
And when the dust settled on the final 18th hole, one name stood above everyone else, Gertrude Mwendah, the Queen of Diani and the current Lady Captain of Diamond Leisure Golf Resort Club.
Playing off handicap 36, Mwendah carded a superb 35 points to be crowned overall winner of the Mulembe Golf Extravaganza.
On a Diamond Leisure course that punishes mistakes, with its tight fairways, fast greens and the tricky coastal wind, Mwendah stayed calm, played smart, and held her nerve when it mattered most.
Her prize, a return ticket to Nairobi by 748, two nights for two at Diani Sea Resort, and a brand-new golf bag. A champion’s package for a champion’s performance.
Speaking after her famous win, a delighted Mwendah said, “I am so happy and so humbled. Winning the overall title here in Diani, in front of such a warm and welcoming Mulembe family, means everything to me. Diamond Leisure is a tough course, the wind was tricky, but I just told myself to stay patient, enjoy every hole, and play my game. To come out on top against such a strong field is a dream come true. I want to thank the Mulembe Golfing Society, Diamond Leisure, and everyone who cheered me on. This one is for all the ladies who believe they can win-we can,” said Mwendah who is also the Club Lady Captain.
It was a win that lit up the clubhouse and a win that will be remembered in Diani for a long time.
And if Mwendah’s win was about composure, the men’s title was about pure drama, where Daniel Ngenga and Abel Choi, both playing off handicap 18, finished tied on a brilliant 40 points each, inseparable after 18 holes of high-quality golf, and on the end, it came down to countback.
Ngenga edged it to claim the Men’s winner title, taking home a return ticket by Fly 748 and a duffel bag and Choi, who matched him shot-for-shot all day, had to settle for first runners up and Dixon Waruinge completed the men’s podium as second runners up with 38 points off handicap 15, also earning a bag.
The ladies’ division produced one of the tightest finishes of the weekend, with three ladies all finishing on 38 points each.
Winnie Orina, off handicap 44, emerged as Lady winner on 38 points, taking home a bag and a return ticket.
Evelyn Wakhu, off handicap 27, finished as first runners up on 38 points on countback, while Beatrice Shukuku, off handicap 22, claimed second runners up on 38 points on countback, also earning a bag and that was a powerful showcase of the depth of ladies’ golf in Kenya and the fighting spirit of the Mulembe family.
In the special Mulembe category the heart of the extravaganza, reserved for the Ingokho community members, Sammy Itemere stood tall.
Playing off handicap 10, Itemere carded 31 points to win the Mulembe winner title and take home a bag.
Behind him, Mulembe Golfing Society Chairman Eric Nyongesa proved leadership also comes with game, finishing as Mulembe first runners up with 30 points off handicap 7 to also win a bag.
Wycliffe Murwayi finished as Mulembe second runners up with 29 points off handicap 20, while Yashim Butende completed the podium as Mulembe third runners up with 36 points off handicap 36 and both also walked away with bags.
For the Ingokho family, sons and daughters of Western Kenya from Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia and Trans Nzoia, this was their moment, their tournament and their pride on full display in Diani.
The future of Kenyan golf was on full display in Diani, as Alex Salzman was the star of the juniors, winning the Junior winner title with a stunning 46 points off handicap 46 to take home a bag.
Cyril Wamweru finished as Junior runners up with 38 points off handicap 26, also earning a bag, in a brilliant battle between two rising stars.
In the seniors, Lennart Rydberg proved class is permanent, winning the Senior winner title with 27 points off handicap 40 to take home a bottle of wine and a standing ovation from the clubhouse.
Leon Lutseboer won Nearest to Pin Men, while Julie Trayner claimed Nearest to Pin Lady, both showing incredible precision.
In the power contest, Feisal Lasker smashed a monster 239 meters to win Longest Drive Men, while Flora Virginia powered her way to Longest Drive Women with a massive 193 meters.
And in a touching moment, Nyali Golf & Country Club Chairman Michael Sangoro was recognized for Best Effort, scoring 16 points off handicap 21, as in golf, as in life, effort matters.
Mulembe Golfing Society Chairman Eric Nyongesa hailed the golfers, the hosts, and the spirit of the event.
“This Mulembe Golf Extravaganza in Diani has been more than a tournament, it has been an Ingokho family reunion. We are sons and daughters of Western Kenya from Mulembe, from Ingokho and we came to Diani to celebrate who we are, a community that loves golf, loves family, and loves togetherness. I want to thank Diamond Leisure for hosting us so beautifully, all our golfers for turning up in large numbers and competing with passion, and our sponsors and partners for making this weekend possible. From our overall winner Gertrude Mwendah, to our juniors, seniors, ladies and men, everyone played their part. Mulembe is about unity, peace and growing this game together. Ingokho is about standing together as one community, wherever we are in Kenya. Diani has shown us what is possible when we come together. We will keep building, keep competing, and keep making Mulembe bigger and better. This is just the beginning,” said Nyongesa.
As the sun set over the Indian Ocean and the celebrations continued into the night with music, laughter, and stories from Western Kenya filling the air, one thing was clear, “The Mulembe Golf Extravaganza was not just about winners and prizes, it was about Ingokho, it was about community, it was about bringing golfers together from different clubs, different counties, and different generations, all united by a shared love for the game.
Until next time-keep swinging.
ENDS.
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