Githui chalks up Kwal tournament victory

Safaricom Golf Tour junior winner Pari Maisuria 13, in action at Nakuru Golf Club, July 10, 2022. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Purity Githui produced an impressive display to win her first major title during Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (Kwal) Golf day in Nanyuki.

Githui conquered the par-72 course in style after returning an authoritative score of 40 stableford point to come out on top of the 72 golfers who took part in the daylong tournament.

She continued to exhibit her top form from recent meets where she has had several top-five finishes.

Attributing her great game on stepped up practice on various aspects of her game that have been bogging her down and glad that it’s paying off.

Her superb score was made up of successive pars on the par-four first, par-four second, par-three third and par-four fourth which were spiced up by a birdie on the par-five seventh hole, the toughest hole on the courser, a stroke-index one.

With bogeys on the par-four fifth, par-four sixth and par-five eighth holes with an unfortunate double bogey on the ninth, a par-three to collect a whopping 27 stableford point from her front nine.

After the halfway mark, thing s took a dip as she inked her first scratch on the par-four 10th hole followed quickly with two costly bogey on the par-four 11th and 12th hole.

Before briefly bouncing back with back-to-back pars on the par-four 13th and 14th holes but all this gains were diluted by a careless double-bogey on the par-four 15th, a no return on the par-five 16th and her third triple-bogey on the par-five 17th hole.

Winding up her round of 18 with a par on the homestretch, par-three 18th for an additional 13 stableford points to seal her victory.

Admitting that the win came as her big surprise to herself but acknowledging that her intense practice sessions were paying off and it was gratifying.

While delivering her winner speech, Githui said, “With this win I can confirm that the more you practice, the better you become and the more you win.”

“As a household name, it is a pleasure to be partnering with Nanyuki Sports Club through this tournament as countdown to their centenary celebrations.” Charles Wamai, Commercial Director – Kwal.

Five twos were registered during the tournament by, Boniface Waikwa (18), Munene Mutune (3), Anthony Igogo (18), Daniel Weru (18) and Peter Rimui also on the 18th.

At Vetlab Sports Club, Youngster Manav Shah playing off handicap 24, returned 40 stableford points to lift Kenya Seed Company Golf tournament title beating George Kabuuri on countback to Men winner with a similar score of 40 stableford points.

Allan Kagisha playing off handicap 33 settled for Men winner second on a score of 39 stableford points.

Priscilla Karobia was Lady winner on a score of 37 stableford points ahead of Beatrice Kamau who came in second on a score of 35 stableford points. With handicap 18, James Githinji, bagging Guest winner prize on a score of 44 stableford points.

Senior winner prize went to a handicap 17, Peter Muiruri, on a score of 36 stableford points.

Best Staff golfer was Leonard Kibet upon carding 39 stableford points with Nathan Mwangi playing off handicap 19, clinching Junior prize on a score of 38 stableford points.

At Sigona Golf Club, Kenya Ladies Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship  a grueling 54 holes Golfer of The Year (GOTY) event attracted 66 lady golfers who braved the chilly weather coming from different clubs in Kenya and Uganda. Comprised of Division A & B lady golfers with 15 competitive single handicap players.

Presented by Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) with Eva Magala, graced by Regional representatives of AACT from both East and Central.

Claiming the Overall prize with a 1 shot lead and taking the Mary Neville Trophy was Chanelle Wangari from Vet Lab Sports Club. Playing off scratch, Wangari remained tied to the lead for the 3 rounds, winding her final round with a birdie on the final hole for a gross score of 78, 78, 73 (229).

She was closely followed by Naomi Wafula handicap 1 of Kitale Golf Club who was the Division A Gross Winner playing 81, 75, 74 total 230. Division A Gross Runner Up was taken by handicap 1 Mercy Nyanchama of Vetlab Sports Club playing 78, 81, 77 total 236. Division A Gross 3rd Winner was by handicap 5 Faith Ontune from Golf Park playing 75, 81, 81 total 237.

The Dolan Bowl Winner Best Gross (handicap 9 to 17) was taken by Mwongeli Nzioka of Limuru Country Club playing 85, 83, 93 total 261.

Division A Net Results; Winner: Esther Chumo handicap 6 playing 77, 76, 73 total 226, Runner Up: Faith Chemutai handicap 4 playing 73, 78, 75 total 226, 3rd: Mildred Natecho handicap 15 playing 74, 78, 76 total 228.

Division A Best Gross; Saturday AM handicap 1 Joyce Wanjiru playing 78, Saturday PM handicap 3 Nancy Wairimu playing 76 gross, Sunday AM handicap 3 Agnes Nyakeo playing 78.

Division B Results; Sigona Quach winner handicap 18 Jane Koech playing 94, 96, 100 total 290, Mary Wambugu Trophy Winner handicap 32 Jie Zhao playing 111, 97, 123 total 331, Gross Runner Up: Sarah Mkok handicap 27 playing 102,95,94 total 291, Gross Third: Grace Wanjohi handicap 19 playing 96, 99, 98 total 293.

Division B Net Results; Winner: Christine Kerubo handicap 27 playing 72, 69, 78 total 219, Runner Up: Antonia Mbuthia handicap 23 playing 77, 74, 77 total 228, 3rd Maureen Wroe handicap 27 playing 75, 74, 79 total 228,

Division B Best Gross; Saturday AM handicap 18 Lydia Mokaya playing 94, Saturday PM handicap 21 Cherono Kipkorir playing 100, Sunday AM handicap 21 Sonia Patel playing 90.

In her winner's speech Channel Wangari said the first day was tough because she struggled with her short game and putts, but on the last day her mental was stronger, she made putts and her scores improved significantly