Ndede survives a count back to claim Tourism Title at Diani

Overall winner Ken Ndede sends a swing to the second greens during the KAWT Kwale branch Charity Golf tournament played at the par 72 Diamonds Leisure Beach and Resort Golf course , Diani, South Coast in Kwale County on Saturday.[Maraufu Mohamed, Standard].

Ken Ndede narrowly survived a count back score of 38 stable ford points to emerge the overall winner of the 2023 Kenya Association of Women in Tourism (KAWT) Charity Golf tournament played at the challenging par 72 Diamonds Leisure Beach and Golf Resort course at Diani, South Coast in Kwale County on Saturday.

The handicap 16 home golfer carded 18 and 20 points in both nines to register his major maiden victory this year beating a team of 120 golfers in the daylong event jointly sponsored by among others Diani Hardware, Safari link and friends of KAWT.

"I played a simplified version of my game today and took out all the eagles on it which really helped my score. I was also driving with a three wood and not a driver that gave me much advantage,"said Ndede.

He had tied on the same score with handicap 15 Jonathan Evans who played a double 19 points in each nine pushing the handicap 24 Harm Lutjeboer to the third slot on a two points difference while the club's Veteran George Mokaya playing off handicap 32 was fourth on a total of 32 points from 17 and 15 points in both nines.

The event's defending Champion Naomi Wambui playing off handicap 20 lost to defend the overall title but clinched the top Lady's prize on 34 points from 17 and 15 in both nines.

She pushed the Club's immediate Lady Captain handicap 29 Vanda Harries to the runners up slot on a single point difference while the Club's Lady Captain handicap 22 Cheryl Bush found herself settling to the third slot after returning a score of 30 points from 16 and 17 points in both nines.

Junior winner Lucas Kampa sends a swing to the second greens during the KAWT Kwale branch Charity Golf tournament played at the par 72 Diamonds Leisure Beach and Resort Golf course, Diani, South Coast in Kwale County on Saturday. [Maraufu Mohamed, Standard].

Ten years old Lucas Kampa who is currently the Club's top junior and the best junior golfer in Kwale County brought 31 points to claim the best junior prize.

KAWT Kwale Chapter Chairlady Pauline Nduva thanked the sponsors and the golfers for making the day successful and said that the funds raised out of the tournament will be utilized effectively in their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and various outreach programmes around the County.

"We shall execute our continuous mandate of empowering women at all levels of society around the County. We will continue with our School mentorships programmes, menstrual hygiene, supporting capacity building for local women entrepreneurs to access Blue economy grants, Mentoring local hospitality college students on soft skills and opportunities on workplace expectations among others, "said Nduva.

Meanwhile Sigona's home player Jiang Qi was crowned the winner of the first leg of the second edition of the Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) 'Bank with us' golf tournament held at the par 72 Sigona Golf Club in Limuru, Kiambu County on Saturday beating a tea of 240 golfers.

Playing off handicap 16 in Division 1 Jiang Qi capitalized on his current best form and the course's good condition to return an impressive total of 43 points to claim the title with Solomon Kanja on 41 points taking the men's winner slot.

"I am delighted to emerge as the winner of this edition. The course was really nice with good fairways that enabled me to play well to beat my competitors. I am looking forward to participating in more events like these as the bank continues to support sports and develop talents in the country." said Jiang Qi

Handicap 2 Atish Malde carded 42 points to claim the division 2 category, with Akshay Chandaria claiming the Gross category title after returning a total of 73 points.

Catherine Mugane playing off handicap 52 brought 40 points to win the Staff prize with Emmanuel Tabone claiming the nearest to the pin award.

Lady Winner Naomi Wambui sends a swing to the second greens during the KAWT Kwale branch Charity Golf tournament played at the par 72 Diamonds Leisure Beach and Resort Golf course, Diani, South Coast in Kwale County on Saturday. [Maraufu Mohamed, Standard].

At the par 72 Karen Country Club in the same day, it was all smiles on the face of the African Aviation Chief Executive Officer Raphael Nzomo who was crowned the overall winner of the Nature Kenya's 'Lungs for Kenya' charity golf tournament.

However it was not an easy win after Nzomo found himself also surviving from a count back score of 41 stable ford points to beat a field of 100 golfers in the event sponsored by KCB Bank.

"I'm overwhelmed with joy to be named the overall winner of this golf tournament, as it will contribute to conserving our environment. The funds raised today will go a long way in supporting Kenya's efforts for climate action. I can attribute my victory to good preparation. Today, my swing was there and my first nine and back nine performance was exemplary. Looking forward to tournaments to come especially those aimed towards noble courses, "said Nzomo.

He had tied with Jason Gibson who settled for the Men winner prize , a point ahead of his closest challenger Andrew Njoba while Stella Kariuki was named the lady winner with 41 points.

The three-ball team of Joel Wainaina, Stella Kariuki, and Robert Wakaba won the Team winner's prize after returning the best combined total of 110 points.

KCB Senior Relationship Manager Manufacturing, Millicent Maruti said the Bank recognizes the importance of integrating climate change measures into national policies and strategies.

"By supporting the 'Lungs for Kenya' campaign, the Bank demonstrated its commitment to catalyzing the growth of trees and maintaining ecosystem services to fight climate change and increase water quantity in the county's environs, "said Maruti.

Executive Director of Nature Kenya,Dr. Paul Matiku said in the past 12 golf tournaments they have supported the growing of 3 million trees in Mt. Kenya through the 'Lungs for Kenya' Charity campaign and that their desire is to plant 1 million trees annually in key biodiversity areas as well as water catchments.

While at the Kenya Railways handicap 25 Florence Kamau carded 42 points to emerge the overall winner of Jimnah Mbaru golf tournament also played on Saturday.

Lawrence Kinyori playing off handicap 23 was the Men winner on a count back score of 38 points after tying on the same score with runners up placed handicap 28 Philip Mong'ony.

The lady winner's prize was won by handicap 19 Jane Ndirangu on 35 points while handicap 22 Hilda Mugure brought 34 points to win the Guest prize.

OTHER CLUB RESULTS;

RUIRU SPORTS CLUB;

Chairman's prize (Dominic Chege);

Overall winner-Paul Kamau (22)-42points, Men winner-Ben Kanyi (22)-42points, Runners up-Kibera

Maina, (22)-41points,Third-Alex Machocho (21)-40points,Lady winner-Anne Ngumba (21)-40points,runners up-Tabitha Kiragu (18)-39points,Third-Faith Nyagaki (32)-37points,Guest Men winner- Stanley Wainaina (23)-38points,Guest lady winner-Rebecca Njui (21)-39points,KCB Sponsor winner-Charles Wachira (13)-37points,Other Sponsors winner- Justus Mathenge (17)-39points,Nearest to pin men winner-Benson Kimani,Nearest to pin lady winner-Sophie Mbochi,Longest drive men winner- Justus Mathenge,Longest drive lady winner-Catherine Wambui;

MOMBASA GOLF CLUB;

The Spirit of Tannahill Shield Mixed Foursomes;

Mixed foursomes winner-Amos Mbubi,Diana Nthiwa-45points,Runners up-Peter Wango,Carol Munyi- 42points,Third-Kelvin Nyongesa,Everline Kerubo-40points,Subsidiary winner-Edwin Kiptoo,Willy Sang-37points,Runners up-Stephen Kiruku,Francis Muthamia-36points,Third-Simon Karemu,Martin Ombura-35points;

NYALI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB;

Texas Scramble;

Sponsored by the Club Management Committee;

Team winners-Dr.J.M.Muthuuri ,Dr. Mukesh Shah,Nitin Pandya, Robert Muhita-54nett C/B,Runners up-Neil Dodhia,Brijesh Pattni,Sheel Dodhia ,Rishi Dodhia-54nett,Third-Michael Sangoro ,Inayet Kudrati, Mukesh Sanghavi,Nagin Shah-55nett