Oluoch tops as Kaburu sinks hole-in-one in Kenya Tourism Board golf event at Nyali

JANE MBURU MAKES A SWING; Jane Mburu makes a swing at Nyali golf and Country Club. She was the lady winner on a count back score of 36 points during the 2014 Kenya Tourism Board sponsored golf tournament played at the Club on Saturday,025th October 2014.PHOTO BY MAARUFU MOHAMED/STANDARD

Joseph Oluoch beat a team of 120 golfers to emerge the overall winner during the 2014 Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) golf tournament at the par 71 Nyali course, Mombasa County, Saturday.

Oluoch, playing off handicap six, sank two rare birdies in both nines for a total of 39 stableford points to claim victory.

This is the second major win for Oluoch (pictured) who last August claimed victory in the 2014 Kenya Orient Insurance golf tournament on 41 points at the same point.

He sank a birdie on the par four-eighth hole, rolled five level pars and dropped two bogey shots and a double bogey for 18 points in the fore nines.

At the back nine, Oluoch started badly with a bogey shot on the par three-tenth hole, but improved on steadily to level pars on the rest and sank a birdie on the par five-17th hole to lead the day.

no EASY VICTORY

“It was not an easy victory since the course was good, bumpy insome areas but I kept on the fight,” said Oluoch.

KTB, under the theme “ Tembea Kenya golf series” sponsored the day-long 18 holes stableford event that attracted golfers from the home club, Mombasa, Leisure, Vipingo, Malindi , staff and guests  with valid handicaps.

Justin Kaburu, playing off handicap 18, hit a hole in one on the par three-15th hole to become the latest winner in the club’s hole in one board.

“I used a nine iron club and could not believe my shot landing going through the 151 yards to land in the hole. It’s a life time achievement,” said Kaburu.

Kevin Carroll, playing off handicap 28, posted a two way count back score of 38 points to claim the men’s winner slot after tying on points with second placed handicap 14 Akram Sheikh  and third placed handicap 22 Mukesh Shaghavi.

Handicap 17 Jane Mburu was the lady winner on a count-back score of 36 points, tying on the same points with second placed handicap 25 Lillian Krijnen. Nearest to the pin winner was William Kaguta.

Handicap 27 Azul Ogola was the guest winner on 34 points, while the first nine and second nine winners were Ken Mwige (23 points) and Ng’anda Warui on 25 points.

KTB’s Company Secretary Allan Njoroge  said: “Kenya has the best golf courses and we will ensure we market Kenya golf tourism in Europe, Asia and Africa.”