Ongalo: From ruling rugby to shining in golf

Newton Ongalo tees off on the par-5 first during SKF Golf day at Kenaya Railways Golf Club, August 3, 2019. [Mose Sammy, Standard] An ace on the par-five fifth hole is all the spark Newton Ongalo needed to win the second edition of the Mulembe Alpha Golf tournament at Sigona Golf Club on Friday. Organised by the Mulembe Golfing Society (MGS), a virtual golf club with 110 members drawn from Western Kenya and other tribes has lined up eight events this calendar year. Ongalo, also the vice captain of The Golf Park, playing off handicap 15, was already struggling in his match play with his flightmates and had his fortunes change after he struck a five-iron on the par three. It landed on the left side of the green and trickled into the misplaced pin to the loud celebrations heard across the course. In his acceptance speech, Ongalo, a former Kenya Sevens rugby team manager, said: "From crunching tackles in rugby to crunching aces, what a conversion! That's not just a hole-in-one, it's a try, a kick, and a standing ovation all in one swing. "All it did was bring back memories of April 17, 2016 when we lifted the Singapore World Series, where I was the team manager." After chalking up 39 Stableford points, he was declared the overall winner of the year opener. Limuru Golf and Country Club's Dennis Maara, playing off handicap 1, returned to the poolside with 72 gross points to claim the Gross prize. The Mulembe Men winner prize was won by Mwambu Malamba with 37 stableford points while MGS chairman Eric Nyongesa and Jesse Masiga finished second with 35 stableford points apiece. The Mulembe Lady winner prize went to Eleanor Khayo with 36 stableford points. Nancy Natasha was second with 34 stableford points as Joyce Wafula settled for third place with 26 stableford points. Leading the visiting golfers, Stephen Lutta won the Men Guest prize winner with a score of 43 stableford points. Zambian Clyde Phiri was the Men's Guest prize winner with a compact score of 40 stableford points. Emerging as the Lady Guest winner was Ida Bernard, with a decent score of 39 stableford points. Anne Wanjira won the Lady Guest second prize with 37 stableford points as Mercy Wafula settled for third place with 35 stableford points. In the sponsors' category, Ashish Shah starred with a score of 39 stableford points, followed by H Coomans, who posted 33 stableford points. Gibson Singer was easy with a third-place finish with 31 stableford points. MGS treasurer Sammy Itemere won the Senior prize with a score of 35 stableford points. In the commercials, the Longest Drive Lady winner was Alice Wanjiru while the MGS captain George Eshuchi won in the Men's category. The Nearest to Pin prize was won by Moses Mwangi, while Jackline Osiema won the Nearest to Pin Lady prize.

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Ongalo: From ruling rugby to shining in golf

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