Golf: No one was successful enough to win the Sh3.6 million Renault Megane

GOLF-SPORTS-MARTIN OMBURA; GOLF-SPORTS-MARTIN OMBURA; Golfer Martin Ombura Makes a swing.[Maarufu Mohamed,Standard]

Ombura's patience finally pays off, he beats one of the largest fields of the year at the Coast

Little-known Martin Ombura nearly quit golf earlier last week but after ten minutes with Nyali Golf club professional's Ngugi Njuguna at the range, he was triumphant in winning the overall prize at the I&M Bank golf day with 39 stableford points on Saturday.

The 14-handicap Ombura beats one of the largest fields of the year at the Coast with 190 players at the par 71 Nyali course in Mombasa who turned up to try win the Hole in One prize of a Sh3.6 million Renault Megane on the 18th hole but no one was successful.

“Golf can be disappointing but it is a game that requires great patience,” said Ombura.

The golfer had started off on a high note by sinking a rare birdie on the par five-first  hole, but despite scratching the par four-second hole, added another birdie on the par four-fourth hole.

Ombura then levelled a total of seven pars and played a mixed bogey shots on the rest of both nines to lead the day and register his first major victory.

His score was matched by guest lady winner, Kezia Kihara of Limuru and one shot ahead of Aniz Popar who was the men winner on 38 points beating Abdul Samji on countback while Aameen Dhanji was third also on count-back 37 points.

The Lady winner was Hilda Mugure (28 handicap) on 36 points, with the Nyali lady captain Joyce Masai coming runner-up on 34 points. Joyce also won the longest Drive competition. 

Nyali’s top ranked junior player and Kenyan international, scratch golfer, Agil Is-Haq who is preparing for the Kenya Amateur Strokeplay at the same venue in two weeks was the junior winner on 33 points and club mate young Alyssa Jamal was runner-up on count-back.