Mwenda grabs KQ safari in Zambia

By James Waindi

Lorna Mwenda posted 39 stableford points to emerge overall winner of the tenth series of the Kenya Airways Safari tournament at Lusaka Golf Club Course in Zambia at the weekend.

Mwenda combined a score of 22 points at the inward nine and 17 points at the outward nine for a total of 39 points, to win on count back from Garvin French after beating a field of over 120 golfers.

The handicap 14 player scooped the KQ Msafiri Best Tour Operator trophy and secured a place in the grand finale.

Garvin Cochrane carded 22 points at the front nine and 16 points at the back nine for a total of 38 to finish as the men’s winner, while Charles Ligwali followed closely with 37 points to settle for the runner-up prize on count-back.

In the ladies’ category, Erica Verwey was unbeatable after posting 38 points, followed by Beatrice Zulu with 36 points. The flights operator has invested Sh10 million in the Golf Safari series to target tourists and promote Kenya as a golf destination.

At the end of the series, 150 amateurs and professionals from 15 African, European and Asian countries will converge in Nairobi for the grand finale on November 6 at Muthaiga Golf Club.

Meanwhile, Eldoret’s Gurmeet Singh Matharu braved a sunny day to beat 122 participants and win the fifth qualifier of the South African Golf Series at the nine-hole course.

Matharu playing off 16, posted 40 points to rule the roost in the event that brought together golfers from Kakamega, Kericho, Nandi Bears and Kitale seeking tickets to the national finals set in January.

Anannd Lakhani of Eldoret club won the Division 1 category after scoring 39 points and Nandi Bears’ Father Sigei was unbeatable in Division 3 also on 39 points.

Other qualifiers include Kitale’s Martin Kiplimo who had 36 points, Philip Shiharsy (34) and Bhavi Shah (32).

Thika: Safaricom Corporate Day, winner- K Njoroge 42 (19, 23); r/up-J M Thairoh 41 (19, 22), third- G M Hiuhu 38 (15, 23), lady winner- Margret Waweru 34 (21, 13), guest winner- P Karanja 40 (23, 17), longest drive men-Maina Ruo, lady- Maria Muthee, nearest to pin- J Karanja.

Muthaiga: Twiga Tree Planting Day, overall winner- Ariithi Gitonga 42pts (22, 20); r/up-Michael Mbaabu 41(23, 28); third- Michael Itote 40pts (18, 22); lady winner- Liz Armitage 36pts (18, 18); guest winner- Peter Kangethe 39pts c/b (18, 21); junior winner- Arnold Ngunjiri 44 (20, 24); nearest to pin-Chege Gitura; longest drive lady-Madhvi Kapila; longest drive man-Chege Gitura.

Railways: Njuri Ncheke Day, winner- S H Onyango 41pts; r/up- S Patel 40pts; third- K Mburu 39pts c/b; Fourth-N W Kimani 39pts; guest winner-M Gakuo 39pts; lady winner- G Githaiga 35pts; junior winner- E Ndonga 31pts; Njuri winner-K Ritaungu 38pts.

Sigona: Sanyo Trophy, winner- Arvind Patel 46pts; r/up-Karan Sehmi 41pts; third-S S Ghalay 40pts; guest winner-S Dodhia 38pts; gross winner- Sujan Shah 76 gross; sponsor winner- Vinay Savani 37pts; nearest to pin-Aswin Mavani; piga mingi-Kinyanjui Ndenderu 15pts.

KAF: Kenya Shell/Patrons’ Day, winner- Chege Kariuki 37pts (16, 21); r/up- K Mabele 36pts (19, 17); third- Brig J Waweru 35pts (18, 17).

 

 

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