Pindolia claims best score during Safari Tour at Nyali

Mombasa County Speaker Aharub Khatri, a Member of Nyali Golf and Country Club follows his shot. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

Home club’s Dhanji Pindolia produced a top-notch show at the par 71 Nyali course in Mombasa, with an excellent 43 stableford points to emerge the overall winner in the first leg of the Pro-Am Safari tour, on Saturday.

The handicap 24 golfer claimed the overall prize after playing four-level pars against eight bogey shots and double bogey shots on both nines.

“I played a normal easy game though I had been training hard. This is a pleasant win for me and I hope to defend it next year,” said Pindolia.

The day-long tournament, which was also graced by Mombasa County Speaker Aharub Khatri playing off handicap 15, saw home club’s handicap 5 Kelly rob claim the men winner prize on 39 points.

Handicap 24 Hitandra Halai, also from the home club, was the men runner-up on a countback score of 38 points.

Home club’s handicap 18 Mary Kandu was the Lady winner on a countback score of 36 points tying with club mate handicap 15 Terry Odoo, who was the runner-up.

Golf Park professional golfer David Wakhu, playing with amateur golfers Mohammed Essa, John Middleton and Hilda Mugure, led his team to victory with a combined score of 86 points to win the Pro Am.

Wakhu, who is last year’s Professional winner of the same event, said this year’s conditions on the course were tough.

“The wind was strong, which made the drives difficult,” said Wakhu.

Kenya Railway’s Professional Alfred Nandwa and amateurs Peris Venessa, Joseph Kaguru and Terry Odoo, were second with a combined score of 84 points.

Thika’s Professional Simon Ngige and Muthaiga’s Professional Greg Snow returned individual scores of 2-under par each to lead their Pro Am teams to third and fourth positions respectively.

Focus now shifts to the main four-day Safari Tour event that will end on Wednesday.

This is the first leg of the 12 series Safari Tour that includes players from Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.

Professionals are battling for a share of the Sh1 million prize fund in each leg as they also chase slots to the Magical Kenya Open Championship, which will be held at the Karen Country Club from March 12-15, next year.

Those making a return to the Series includes series defending champion Greg Snow from Muthaiga, hard-hitting Dismas Indiza from Mumias and Windsor Golf Club’s Riz Charania.

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