Kigundu rules Nyeri as Pan Africa Life Cancer Golf Challenge tees off

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Baldev Singh follows his tee during the Pan Africa Life Cancer Challenge tournament at Nyeri Golf Club on Saturday. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Dennis Kigundu posted 41 Stableford points to emerge the winner of the Pan Africa Life Cancer Challenge first leg at the par-72 Nyeri Club in Nyeri at the weekend.

Kigundu, playing off handicap 16, opened his round with a birdie on the par-four first hole and the famous Kerio Valley par-five sixth hole.

The Nyahururu Club golfer then made two pars on the short par-three second hole and par-four fifth hole before dropping shots from the third to fourth and seventh to the ninth holes to finish with 21 Stableford points on the first nine during the event that attracted golfers from Nanyuki, Nyahururu and Nyeri golf clubs.

On the back nine, he recovered on the 10th hole and made a birdie that was quickly followed by par on the 11th, 12th and 18th. 

He was, however, unable to make par on the closing stretch, dropping shots from the 14th to the 17th to finish with 20 Stableford points and a total of 41 points on one of Kenya’s toughest golf courses.

Played cautiously

After the event, Kigundu, 22, said: “I played cautiously,  kept the ball out of trouble, and I am glad to be crowned the first champion of the Pan Africa Life Cancer Challenge. I thank my golfing partners for giving me a good game.” 

Baldev Singh, who also posted 41 Stableford points, lost to Kigundu on countback to finish second during the day-long event.

The home player, playing off handicap 11, used his knowledge of the Nyeri course to return four birdies, eight pars and four bogeys to scratch two holes for an impressive 22 points on the front nine and 19 points on the back nine.

Handicap 11 Mwangi Gathu was third on 38 points, followed by Eng Kinoti on 36 points during the event that saw handicap eight Stella Mwangi emerge the lady winner on 35 points (17+18), beating Mercy Mburu to second place.

Congratulated the winners

The longest drive prizes went to Charles Rob and Gladys Mwangi, while Nearest to the Pin prize was won by handicap 24 Dan Thiong’o. Jimmy Gitonga beat his colleagues from Pan Africa Life to emerge the staff winner with 34 points.

Pan Africa Life Nyeri Branch Manager Charles Kariuki congratulated the winners and thanked everyone who played at the annual event sponsored by Pan Africa Life, Africa Cancer Foundation and Philips East Africa Kenya Limited.   

Africa Cancer Foundation Managing Director Dorothy Nyong’o said: “We screened more than 450 people at the Dedan Kimathi grounds in Nyeri. Kenyans from all walks of life got an opportunity to get professional cervical, prostate and breast cancer consultation and screening services free of charge.”

The challenge now moves to the Nyanza Club, where Nyanza will play host to golfers from Mumias, Kisii, Nandi Bears, Kakamega and Kisumuc clubs.

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