MALDE IT IS: Home golfer Jatin makes Nyali proud in winning title

SPORTS-GOLF-MUGO KIBATI; Pauline Gichara reacts to her winning putt and emerged the lady winner on 40 points. This was during the first Sanlam golf Challenge Tournament played at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club course in Mombasa County on Saturday,08th October,2016.PHOTO BY MAARUFU MOHAMED/STANDARD

Jatin Malde beat a team of 140 golfers to claim the 2016 Sanlam Golf Challenge trophy at the par 71 Nyali golf and Country Club course in Mombasa County.

Even then, it was not an easy victory as the handicap 18 home golfer had to win on a two way count back score of 41 stable ford points to emerge the overall winner.

Malde’s trouble started in the fore nines managing only two pars and disastrously playing triple bogeys while scratching the par four-eight hole. At the back nines, Malde lost more points playing double bogeys on three holes, but was able to recover with six pars to lead the day.

“It was not easy at the course due to the prevailing windy conditions but I managed to win,” Malde said on Saturday.

Club mates Rohit Devani playing of handicap 14 and handicap 28 S.R. Shikely were the Men and runners up winners respectively on the same points (41) while taking up the third slot was Mombasa golf Club’s handicap 17 Symon Wambugu with 39 points.

The lady winner prize was won by Nyali’s handicap 32 Pauline Gichara on 40 points and club mate handicap 23 Lyn Nicholls (37) was the runners up.

Nyali’s handicap 34 Allyssa Jamal posted 34 points to claim the junior prize and the same for the senior was won by club mate Sal Davies who had a score of 37 points. Francis Ogwel on 26 points won the Staff prize and Axel Muhoro was the Guest winner posting 32 points.

The Sanlam Golf Challenge sponsored by local non-bank financial services provider Sanlam Kenya attracted golfers from the home club, Mombasa, Leisure, Vipingo, Malindi and Staffs and guests of the sponsors with valid handicap.

Group Chief Executive Officer Mugo Kibati who got only 11 points in both nines, however said the event being the first one in the Country has provided a good platform for the company to engage its Coast based business partners following its recent rebrand.