Kenyans tee off to rough fairways on day one

Tanzanian Lady golfer Vicky Elias Chiku. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

Kenyan lady golfers made a false start as their Tanzanian colleagues topped the leaders' board at the Ladies Coast Open 2019 Championship played at Diani’s par 72 Leisure Resort golf course in South Coast, Kwale County on Tuesday.

Tanzanian handicap 5 Hawa Wanyeche from Dar es Salaam’s Gymkhana Golf Club sank three rare birdies for 77 gross but shared the Silver trophy lead with her Country mate handicap 10 Elias Vicky Chiku from Lugalo club after both ended with 72 nett each.

“The course was challenging with tricky pin positions and strong winds but we are happy to win as a Country and we are also well prepared for the rest of the events in other clubs,” said Wanyeche.

Kenya’s handicap 9 Nzioka Mwongela from Limuru golf clubs was behind by a stroke after bringing home a 73 nett.

Among the top ten Kenyans includes Vet lab’s handicap 18 Rachael Ndei and Nyali’s handicap 16 Florence Karimi who both scored 74 nett each.

Others are Nakuru’s handicap 11 Shiro Kaime and Golf park’s handicap 14 Nancy Wairimu with 75 nett each and home club’s handicap 18 Cheryl Bush who had 76 nett.

However, the Bronze division was dominated by Kenyans with home club’s handicap 24 Sabine Funk taking the lead on 70 nett.

Her club mates handicap 29 Vanda Harries on 71 nett and Kirri Adams on 73 nett were second and third-placed respectively.

The championship has attracted 120 lady golfers with valid handicaps from Tanzania, Uganda and hosts Kenya.

The Diani leg was the first of four tournaments spread across Coast Region golf courses. The series ends on Saturday.