Simiyu maintains cool to retain Mashujaa Day title

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Bernard Simiyu used all tricks in his bag to successfully defend the 2018 Mashujaa Day trophy at the tricky par 71 Mombasa Sea-link Course on Saturday.

The handicap 22 home golfer carded 38 stableford points to emerge the overall winner in the one-day 18-hole tournament.

Mombasa’s Moffatt Court Boutique Hotel, which is owned by the club chairman Jayne Githere, sponsored the tourney that attracted 120 golfers.

Simiyu struggled at the course and managed four level pars against eight bogey and six double bogey shots in both nines in the event that saw many golfers leave the course with long faces after returning poor scores.

“This was not magic but a day that helped me play a good round of golf. It’s really great to have won the trophy twice and hope to do the same next year,” said Simiyu.

His club mate Paul Munyao, playing off handicap 26, was the Men winner on 36 points, while handicap 22 Johnson Muriuki took the Men Runner-up slot with 33 points. Handicap 13 Mburu Kariuki was third with 29 points.

Handicap 16 Florence Karimi, on 28 points, was the Lady winner.

At the par 72 Ruiru Sports course, handicap 15 Kinyua Muchiri won the Mashujaa Day tournament that was sponsored by Ponyea India Medicare for the third consecutive year.

Muchiri won on a two-way countback score of 39 points.

He tied on the same score with handicap 17 Jessy Ndegwa, who was the men winner and handicap 24 George Ndungu, who was the Men runner-up.

The integrated healthcare logistics company tournament saw handicap 35 Ruth Kamau claim the Lady winner slot on 38 points while handicap 33 Mary Kairu settled for the Lady runner-up slot with 37 points.