Githinji tops at Safaricom Golf Challenge in Nyali as Nandwa stars in Nakuru

Mathew Wahome makes a swing during the Safaricom Business Golf Challenge at Nyali Golf and Country Club on Saturday. [PHOTO:MAARUFU MOHAMED/STANDARD]

Despite a false start, George Githinji posted an impressive 39 stableford points to emerge the overall winner during the ninth leg of the 2014 Safaricom Business Golf Challenge played at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club course on Saturday.

The home golfer, playing off handicap 13, went home smiling after being awarded with the latest Huawei Ascend P7smart phone, Safaricom airtime worth 10,000 and a glittering trophy.

Githinji started off on a wrong footing, scratching the par five-first, the par four-fourth and the par five-fifth holes.

But he got a lifeline  after he fortunately sank a birdie on the par three-second and levelled pars on four holes for 18 points in the fore nines.

At the back nine, Githinji played an impressive game, rolling a total of seven pars but dropped bogey shots on two holes for an additional 21 points to lead the tournament.

“The course was tough and challenging, but it was an impressive victory. This is indeed my greatest win and I thank the sponsors for all the gifts,” said Githinji.

Safaricom sponsored the day-long 18-hole stable-ford tournament that brought together 150 golfers from the club, Mombasa, Leisure, Vipingo and guests and staff of the sponsors with valid handicaps.

Joseph Oluoch, playing off handicap six, was the men’s winner on a count back score of 37 points (18-19) after tying on the same points with second-placed handicap five Allan Dainty.

The lady winner was handicap 23 Marinella Larice who had 37 points, while the national golf Junior Mathew Wahome, playing off handicap one, was the junior winner on 37 points (18-19).

Safaricom Enterprise Business Head Tony Tugee scored 31 points to claim the men’s staff prize, while Scholar Munyao won the ladies’ prize after posting 18 points.

Allan Kahure of Mombasa Golf Club was the guest winner on 30 points, while Ng’ang’a Warui was the nearest to the pin winner as Piga Mingi award went to Kishor Gudka.

The next Safaricom  Challenge will be held at Machakos Golf Club in January next year. 

Meanwhile, Njoro Golf Club vice captain Alfred Nandwa posted 41 stableford points to emerge the overall winner during the UAP Insurance Golf Day at Nakuru Golf Club at the weekend.

Playing off handicap 11, Patrick Mbuthia emerged the men’s winner with a total of 41 points he was followed by Murtaza Mussaji on 39 points.

The lady winner was Josephine Wangari on 39 points, beating Susan Matharu by three points.

The first nine winner was Nicholas Nduati on 22 points, while Luther Kamau was the second nine winner on a similar score.

E. Wambui and Mandip Jajuha won the women and men’s longest drives titles respectively. Anoop Sahota was the junior golf winner on 31 points.

Wesley Kihumba came second on 22 points. The best efforts went to Lucy Wanjiku.