Patrick Theche’s single birdie at the final minutes of the match was enough to earn him victory in the 2019 Ruiru Masters golf tournament at the par 72 course, on Saturday.
Playing off handicap 19, the home golfer posted a total of 62 nett after playing 31 and 31 netts in both nines to emerge the overall winner in the day-long 18-hole tournament that attracted 107 golfers.
Munyao, who had lost hope to the leader’s board, was rejuvenated after sinking a rare birdie at the second last round on the par four-16 hole. He also had level pars against a mixed pot of bogey shots in both nines.
“This rare birdie propelled me to earn the victory in this important event and I am very happy. The course was playing well but very tough,” said Theche.
Club mate handicap 22 Reuben Kithuka was the men winner on 66 nett (36-30) while handicap 22 Johnson Wawereu, on a countback score of 67 nett (35-32), was the Men runner-up.
Waweru had tied on the same score with club mate handicap 18 Eliakim Maina, who finished third.
Handicap 26 Margaret Kamau, also from the club, posted 68 nett (32-36) to claim the Lady’s prize and club mate handicap 18 Catherine Wambui was the lady runner-up on 71 nett (34-37).
Kenya Railway’s handicap 21 Onassis Ndegwa won the guest prize on 73 net, while home club’s handicap 12 Andelus Maina took the gross title on 82 gross.
Meanwhile, at the par 71 sea-link Mombasa golf course, handicap 3 long-hitting George Munyao tied with Muthaiga’s handicap 1 Taimur Malik with a one over par 72 gross to take day one lead in this year’s Barry Cup (Coast Open) golf tournament on Saturday.
The two-day 36-hole tournament that ended yesterday evening saw Kiambu’s handicap 5 Steve Kiaro post a four over par 75 gross for the second slot.
The championship that has attracted 200 top amateurs in Kenya and East Africa Region, who have handicaps below 12, is a two-days 36-hole stroke play off scratch and runs alongside the Inter-Club Challenge Cup.
It is marking 100 years since inception and is held under the auspices of the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) in a series of the ongoing Kenya Amateur golf Championship Calendar.
Sponsors of the tournament included Kenya Ports Authority, DSTV, Coastal Image Technologies, Musalia Mudavadi and RwandAir.
