DE SILVA rules mombasa

By MOHAMED MAARUFU and PHILIP ORWA

Mombasa, Kenya:Mombasa rookie Rapthi De Silva surprised a field of 170 golfers by hitting a counter- back score of 40 stableford points to emerge the overall winner in the third leg of the 2013 UAP golf tournament series.

Playing off handicap 32 at the par 71 Nyali golf and Country club course on Saturday, De Silva rolled two level pars on the shortest par three-third and the par four-sixteenth holes, dropped six bogies shots and rounded up the rest of the holes with double bogies shots in both nines to claim the title.

“I did not expect this, I thank God for the win,” she said.

UAP Insurance sponsored the daylong 18 holes event.

QUALIFICATION RULE

Since the rule of the qualifier states that if for any reason a player who has qualified is unable to attend the finals, then the player with the next best score will be eligible to represent that club.

Handicap 12 Jaffer Aliabbas who scored 37 points was declared the new winner qualifying to represent the Coast region in the series grand finale scheduled for January 24 next year at Muthaiga Golf Club. Other qualifiers are handicap 13 Joseph Waigwa,  handicap 20 Peter Kimanga and M  Zafar.

The one slot for the lady qualifier was won by De Silva, who was the day’s overall winner on 40 points.

At the par 72 Kiambu Golf Club, handicap 18 Mukuria Ragui scored 42 points to emerge the overall winner of the Njogu Njoroge tournament on Saturday.

Various winners

The Postel Directory tournament played at the weekend at the par 71 Limuru Golf Club that attracted 145 golfers was won by handicap 24 M. Wairimu on 41 points.

The 18 holes Thika Sports Courts hosted Friends of the Captain event that was won by handicap 10 Joe Thiga on 43 points while handicap 21 Michael Gitonya was the runners up with 41 points.

H S  Jutleys Insurance Company event at par 71 Vet Lab Golf course and attended by 140 golfers was won by handicap 10 M  Yator on 43 points. At Royal Nairobi course, handicap 15 Sophie Njenga dominated the Royal Ladies Open on 69 nett (84-15).

In Kisumu, Janet Kalavor won the Madison Insurance contest staged at Par 70 Nyanza Golf Club, becoming the first lady winner since the year began.

The handicap 17, won with five bogies on holes 10, 12, 13, 15 and 18, two pars on holes 11 and 16 and two birdies on holes 14 and 17 for a total of 23 stableford points.

“I’m happy for the victory, becoming first lady to achieve this since the year began.

Sundeep Koteche playing off Handicap 22  amassed a total of 42 Stableford points.

Third overall was Handicap 10 and Mumias Golfer Hezron Wafula.