Silver in store: Kenyan ladies finish second, Standard Group County Golf Classic heads for Thika Sports Club

Kenyan ladies bagged the runners-up award as South Africans ruled the All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) that ended at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi yesterday.

The runners-up award, is the first ever silverware to be claimed by Kenyan ladies in the AACT.

The home team that was made up of Kenya amateur stroke play champion Josephine Ainsley, African junior champion Naomi Wafula and Christina Angell Andersen had a score of 453, (27 over par) in the 54 hole trophy.

South African team signed 16 over par 442 to retain the trophy that they have now won for 12 years.

South Africa also won the best individual and best junior titles in the AACT to be crowned champions.

Kenya’s runners-up trophy was their first ever silverware in the AACT. Tanzania was behind Kenya with just two strokes with a score of 455 (29 over par).

The fourth overall position went to Zambia who scored 472 followed by Zimbabwe (478), Uganda (496), Egypt (500), Botswana (514) and Nigeria (561) while Cameroon wrapped up the top 10 positions on 561.

South African junior players- Michaela Fletcher and Cara Gorlei occupied the top two positions in individual rankings while Ainley was third.

Started off badly

Fletcher who was placed third overall after the first two rounds recovered with a well-earned three under par 68 to the top of leader board with 220 (79, 73, 68).

She said: “I started off badly with a bogey but sunk a few birdies to finish with a score of 68.”

Fletcher praised the Muthaiga Golf Club course saying it was one of the best that she has ever played in her career.

“I enjoyed playing on the course and I like Kenya very much,” said Fletcher.

Gorlei who led the first and second round finished second overall with 12 over par 225 (70, 75, 80).

Ainley, who played crucial part in Kenya’s team, was third with 13 over par 226 (72, 76, 78).

Madina Iddy of Tanzania signed 16 over par 229 (79, 77, 73) to finish fourth.

After scoring 84 in second round, Wafula made steady recover in the final round and record two over par 73, and occupy fifth position.

“I’m very happy that Kenya has for the first time in the history of the trophy finished among the top three placed nations,” she said.

Andersen wrapped up the top 10 position with a score of 237 (77, 81, 79), 24 over par.

Andersen, who was playing in her first AACT, said Kenya presented a strong team but the tricky course denied them crucial scores.

Meanwhile, the fourth leg of the 2014 Standard Group County Golf Classic series moves to the par 72 Thika Sports Club course tomorrow.

The tournament will see more than 250 golfers from the hosting club, Nyeri, Karatina, Nairobi and other neighbouring towns battle it out for top honours during the daylong event.

 “The course is in great shape with well kept greens, we hope one of our club members will win the ultimate prize. The golfers should prepare for a great day rich in surprises,” Thika Golf Club Captain Charles Ngunjiri told FeverPitch yesterday.

Golfers to watch during the event include long hitting handicap four Edwin Kiarie and handicap one Patrick Kingori, whose form has continued to improve.

Others are handicap 12 Anthony Kabucho, handicap 12 Engineer Joseph Wakimani and Lady golfer handicap 21 Betty Mutua whose form has been on a steady rise in recent times.