Nabuk wins South African trip after bagging 6-leg series

Francis Nabuk in action during the grand finale of Nomadic Golf series at Great Rift Valley Golf Resort. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

A spirited fight to recover on a bad front nine saw Francis Nabuk return a solid score of 40 stableford points to earn a fully paid-for trip to South Africa.

Nabuk emerged as the overall winner of the Nomadic golf series, which was organised by Nomadic Golf Limited.

Playing off handicap 26, Nabuk, who was one of the qualifiers from Nanyuki Sports Club, had a wishy-washy first nine that saw him collect a paltry 13 stableford points.

The stars, however, aligned in his favour after the midaway banda from where he raked in a sterling score of 27 stableford points that saw him deny another qualifier, Abel Kimondo on countback score.

"I can't explain the feeling, but I'm elated. All I can say is that winning the Nomadic Golf Series overall title borders on a miracle," Nabuk said.

The grand finale was a culmination of a six-series leg that saw golfers battle it out in the qualifiers which were staged at Kenya Railway Golf Club (KRGC), Thika Greens Golf Resort (TGGR) and Nanyuki Sports Club (NSC).

Others clubs were PGA Baobab Vipingo Golf Resort, and Nyali Golf and Country Club, before winding up at the seafront Mombasa Golf Club. The grand finale was hosted at the Great Rift Valley Golf Resort.

Leading the subsidiary division on an equally sterling score of 43 stableford points was Sylvester Kinyor, playing off handicap 28, while home golfer Vedck Wafula returned 39 stableford points to pick the Men winner's second prize.

Member winner prize was won by a handicap 28, Sissel Rene after inking a neat score of 36 stableford points.

Fairest among the lady golfers was Medrine Kariuki, who carded a score of 40 stableford points, with Ruth Kariuki, from Nakuru Golf Club, settling for Lady winner second, also on a similar score of 40 stableford points.

Kelvin Barasa, from Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort, was the Gross winner with 71 Gross points to deny John Lerjimah from Kenya Railway Golf Club, who brought in 73 gross points.

In the commercial, Lerjirma blasted his tee shot furthest to claim the Longest Drive Men winner prize, with Zaitun Mohamed winning the Longest Drive Lady winner prize.

The Nearest to the Pin prize was bagged by Nakuru Golf Club's golf clubs' greenkeeper Luther Kamau.

Ten twos were registered by Kevin Smith, Pro Simon Njogu, Edward Murungi, Jeremy Kingori, Emmanuel Lumatete, Zaituni Mohamed, (all on the eitgh hole), Mose Sammy, Medrine Kariuki, John Lerjirma, Kelvin Baraza on the 12th.

David Chiawo, Dean School of Tourism and Hospitality, at Strathmore University, pointed out that there is a need for students to have business development and entrepreneurship which is key for job creation.

''There is a huge need for students to have an entrepreneurial orientation from training to incubation of business ideas to startups going into the market. But on the flip side there is a need for support through business mentorship and partnership development," said Chiawo.