NCBA series heads to Thika Sports while Kenya Juniors Invited to Play in Egypt;
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSINKS;
Robert Mogoi beat a team of 131 golfers after cardeding an excellent 49 stable ford points to emerge the overall winner of the 2023 ICPAK Charity Golf tournament played at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club course in Mombasa County on Thursday, 25th,may,2023;
The handicap 17 Mogoi displaced handicap 7 Jacob kamau to the Men winner’s slot with a seven point’s difference as handicap 9 Martin Ombura brought 41 points to claim the runner’s up slot.
Handicap 4 Said Bajaber was the gross winner on a three over par 74 gross.
Zaituni Mohamed playing off handicap 25 was the Lady winner on 46 points and handicap 35 Nitin Shah won the Best senior prize with 38 points.
Handicap 30 Nicholas Odhiambo on 40 points won the ICPAK member prize and handicap 27 Kennedy Kisoi carded 39 points for the runners up slot.
The high handicappers men on 45 points and lady on 42 points were won by handicap 38 Brig.John Waweru and handicap 41 Anne Cherop respectively.
The Club’s former Lady Captain Mary Kandu playing off handicap 12 won the best first nine prize on a count back score of 20 points and the same for the second nine on 24 points was won by handicap 27 Francs Muthamia.
Meanwhile,Thika sports Club course will be the venue for the ongoing 2023 NCBA Golf series on Saturday,27th,May,2023 that has attracted over 250 Golfers in the fourth leg of the series that started in March this year.
The overall gross winner, Men’s category winner, Women’s category winner, and juniors’ category winners will be playing in securing their places to compete in the Grand Finale scheduled later this year.
The event organized by NCBA Bank for the day long 18 holes tournament has attracted avid golfers from across the region and serves as a platform in promoting the sport of golf across the East African region and marks
This follows the third leg that was held at the Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club on April 22nd, where Abhishek Pandit emerged as the overall gross men winner with a score of 79 gross, securing a coveted spot in the Grand Finale.
In the Women’s category, Phillus Kimbo emerged as the winner, showcasing remarkable skill with a score of 85 gross.
Nathan Kania demonstrated exceptional talent and emerged as the juniors’ category winner with a score of 104 gross.
NCBA Group Managing Director, John Gachora, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to be heading to Thika Sports Club for the next leg of the NCBA Golf Series. It is always a pleasure to be hosted at this prestigious club, known for its exceptional facilities and warm hospitality. We are excited to witness the passion and skill of the golfers as they compete for a chance to secure their spot in the Grand Finale. This event is another fantastic opportunity for NCBA Bank to connect with our customers through the sport we all love.”
Gachora said the NCBA Golf Series aims to not only promote the sport of golf throughout the East African region but also establish a stronger connection between the Bank and its customers through the shared love of the sport and this year’s edition comprises a total of 17 club qualifier events hosted at various golf clubs in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.
Thika Sports Club Captain, Ndegwa Thuku, said, “We are eagerly anticipating the upcoming leg of the NCBA Golf Series at Thika Sports Club. With an estimated 250 golfers set to take part, we expect a highly competitive and memorable event. The golf course is in very good condition thanks to the recent rains, and we expect the golfers to have a good day on the course. We are delighted to host this series once again, and extend a warm welcome to all golfers joining us.”
So far, the Series has been successfully held at the Railway Golf Club, Limuru Country Club, and Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club.
The Series also includes two junior tournaments, with the first one having been held in Uganda in March and the next one planned to take place at the Nyali Golf Club in November.
And finally Kenya Junior golfers has a reason to celebrate after being offered an invitation for the Egyptian Junior Open scheduled at
Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) President Regina Gachora said in a press release that they have received an invitation to send two junior amateur golfers, either two girls or two boys to compete in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) golf event.
“The juniors must be 18 years and under as of the dates of the tournament (22nd-24th June 2023) and have a handicap 28.0 or under for Boys and a handicap of 36.0 or under for girls, “said Gachora.
She pointed out that the Tournament is a stroke-play event and, inter alia, consists of the category of 18 years & under with HCP for Boys & Girls playing 54 holes over 3 days (18 holes per round).
Gachora said the winner of the 18 boys’ division will receive an invitation to play in a professional tour event to be held in the Middle East in the 2023/2024 season while the winning girl in the U18 will
receive an invitation to participate in the Aramco Team Series in Riyadh from 27th-29th October, 2023.
“The invitation includes accommodation on a full board basis and transportation from and to the airport for the two boys or two girls while the deadline for the registration to the tournament is 31st May, 2023 and is on a first come first served basis limited to 50 invitations, “said Gachora.
She further explained that the tournament entry for all other participants will be €100 and shall be met by the individual Players and any other costs of flight and stay shall also be met by the individual players.
“JGF therefore invites qualified and interested applicants to submit their names to info@juniorgolfkenya.org by Monday, 29th May 2023 for consideration, selection and onward submission to Egypt, “said Gachora.
She said that the two boys or two girls will thereafter be selected from the applications received based on their ranking on the 2022 JGF Order of Merit (OOM) and Preference will be given to the better
Ranked players.
“Any other applicants, who will still be interested to participate in the tournament, on a fully self-sponsored basis, will have their application submitted to Egypt for consideration, “said Gachora.
Gchaora said a Special tournament rates have been created for a double room at €130 per night and single room at € 100 per night inclusive of full board accommodation and transportation to and
from Hurghada Airport.
ENDS;
