Kang'ara outshines 280 golfers at Thika Club

Thika Sports Club chairman William Ngugi in action. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

A lot has changed about the gentleman's game, in the recent past, from an increase of those joining the sport, especially during the post Covid-19 era to the revision of the rules governing the game.

Most of those who joined the sports during the pangs of the pandemic bit were out to find a pastime as most other activities were either suspended or stopped altogether to control the deadly virus then.

Enrollment of the new golfers necessitated the need for member clubs to rethink and restructure the ways they did things to accommodate the surging numbers worsened by membership drives that provided a window to join the exclusive clubs.

Other measures put in place included an increase in the joining fee or stricter requirements to sieve off "unwanted" prospective members.

Other clubs such as Vetlabs Sports Club developed strategic plans to guide their path where they needed to be within a specific period, others devised ways to remain relevant businesswise amidst the ever-changing economic times to stay afloat.

Thika Sports Club in playing ball is one of those clubs that has broken away from tradition by being registered as a limited company managed by a board of directors.

Under the leadership of current Chairman William Ngugi who has served the first of his two-year term.

According to Ngugi, "It's the first year since we transitioned from a society to a limited company (Limited by guarantee). I indicated that my main KPI when I took the mantle was to keep the Thika Sports Club members united and standing together."

"We have done well so far as a club. We had a successful membership drive in 2023. Within the next few months, members should expect several projects to be rolled-put as all the planning for the same is complete and in place." he added.

As well as putting up a solar power station and redoing greens number two and 15 in addition to other course improvements.

To celebrate his first year at the helm, Ngugi hosted golfers to a four-day tournament which climaxed over the weekend.

It was presented by title sponsor Syngenta in association with Superior Hotels, Britam, Finsco Africa, Minet Kenya, Dellcreek Developers and BNS Algotech.

Others were Dashui Water Drillers, Capwell Industries, Chania Uniform Depot, Golden Spur Kiambu and Friends of the Chairman William Ngugi.

Resident player Linus Kang'ara starred during the daylong tournament after returning a sterling score of 41 stableford points playing off handicap 15 to lift the Chairman (William Ngugi) prize 2024.

"The weather was perfect, providing a great round of 18 holes. My drives were great off the deck, with a superb mid-game and consistent with my putting saw me score vital points towards the win," said Kang'ara.

Handicap 24, JK Mbugua won the Men winner prize on a score of 39 stableford points ahead of the men's winner second JK Muoria carded 38 stableford points. SK Ndungi was third on a score of 38 stableford points.

The Lady winner prize went to Irene Kamutu playing off handicap 22 with a score of 39 stableford points followed closely by the Lady winner second, Bibiana Kariuki with 38 stableford points with Caroline Muigai taking the Lady winner third prize also on a score of 38 stableford points after a threeway countback.

Taking the supplementary prize was Wangoko Njoroge on a score of 38 stableford points.

The Executive Director prize went to Simon Mbote, playing off handicap 12 on a score of 36 stableford points with James Muigai bagging the Sponsor prize on a score of 38 stableford points.

The past Chairmen prize was won by a handicap 15, J Gachomba on a score of 34 stableford points.

The Spartan Diva winner prize went to Faith Maina with a score of 36 stableford points with the Spartan Men winner prize going to Maina Ruo with a score of 38 stableford points.

Guest Men's prize winner was Anthony Muita playing off handicap 10 on a score of 38 stableford points. Guest Lady winner prize went to Joy Njagi on a score of 34 stableford points.

Winning the First Nine prize was Tabby Mungai with 22 stableford points as Patrick Mukuri won the Second Nine prize with 21 stableford points.

Garcia Kimemia won the Longest Drive Men prize with Lucy Maina winning the Longest Drive Lady prize.