By James Waindi

Ken Mabele, David Sambai and Nolly Sodi are the winners of the second edition of the South African Tourism Golf Series that concluded on Saturday with a Grande Finale at the par-71 Muthaiga Golf Club course.

The trio, who beat other 142 participants to win their respective categories, each won the prize of a five-night holiday in Limpopo and Kwa Zulu Natal in South Africa where they would play golf at the Legend Golf Course in the Entabeni Conversancy.

Air Force Golf Club’s Ken Mabele, playing off handicap two, was the Division A winner on 39 points after beating Golf Park’s Kevin Juma on countback. Mabele was also the winner of the first qualifying round at Windsor Golf Club in July. Muthaiga’s lady golfer, Florence Maina, was third on 37 points.

Raphael Mwaura follows his shot during KPLC Golf Day at Ruiru Golf Club on Saturday. [PHOTO: COURTESY]

In Division B, Nandi Bears’ golfer, David Sambai, playing off handicap 19, was in a class of his own as he posted 38 points to carry the day. Karen’s Angus Murray was the runner-up on 36 points, a shot ahead of Railway’s John Gituma, who settled for the third position.

38 POINTS

In Division C, local knowledge of the Muthaiga course worked in favour of Nolly Sodi, who amassed 38 points (24, 16) to win the group. Limuru’ s H Iwatta was second on 35 points but since she missed the prize giving ceremony, the runner-up prize was awarded to Charles Nzuki of Machakos on a score of 31 points.

The Finale also witnessed a Hole in One. Playing as a Golf Talent Foundation guest, the

Kenya Amateur Strokeplay champion, Stefan Andersen had his first hole in one in his golfing history on hole number two, using a sand wedge. To mark the achievement, Andersen donated Sh10,000 to the Muthaiga Caddy Fund.

Talent Foundation

Members of the Golf Talent Foundation were invited to play Medal during the South African Golf Finals, which has previously been won by Andersen on 2-under 69 gross.

The South African Golf Series were first launched by South African Tourism in 2008 in partnership with the Kenya Golf Union and Golf Talent Foundation to fund golf development in the country through entry fees collected from the 27-tournaments in both series held to date.

Meanwhile, a mid-handicap team of Andrew Alex, handicap 15, Marcus Prior, handicap 15, Panesar GS, handicap 17 and Mike Gebribedni, handicap 10, posted average scores of 38, 35, 33 and 36 stable ford points for an aggregate team score of 109 to win the Tusker Malt Golf Carnival qualification round at the Sigona Golf Club.

The team of Virdii DS, Chabra SK, Gavi Bachu and Channa TS managed an aggregate team score of 106 to finish second with their weakest link, Gavi Bachu, scoring a commendable 33 points while the team of Amit Sodha, Baiju Savani, Anjly Shah and Sandesh Shah finished third with 104 points. Former international lady golfer Anjly Shah was the weakest link in the third team with a measly 27 points.

Vet Lab: Sungura Cup Finals and Subsidiaries, sponsored by professor O L E Mbatia, Sungura Winner- Martin Makundi 1 up; R/up- Adriel Kabaara; Subsidiary, winner- Joseph Kosolo 37 pts c/b; R/up- Robinson Owiti 37 pts c/b; Third- Amos Ntimama 37 pts; Fourth- Shakir Merali 35 pts c/b. Ladies stableford number one, sponsored by Anne Mululu, Silver winner- Mukami Gatonye 35 pts; R/Up- Patricia Odima 29 pts; Bronze winner- Mercy Kebaara 33 pts; R/Up- Margaret Thande 32 pts.

Thika: December Monthly Mug, Division A winner- S Muthugia 72 (36, 36), R/up- D N Wainaina 73 (35, 38), Division B winner- J G Thiga 67 (36, 31), R/Up- P. M. Ndung’u 68 (32, 36), Division C- G Thuo 72 (38, 34), R/Up- L Njoroge 75 (39,36), Lady Winner — M. Wainaina 70 (35,35); Guest winner- S Ndung’u 76 (37, 39).