Change of tack does the trick for Miungi in Nanyuki

Gabriel Miungi in action during the December Monthly Mug at Nanyuki Sport Club in Laikipia county, December 16, 2023. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

A last-minute change of driver grip saw Gabriel Miungi claim the December Monthly Mug after a splendid round of 4-under-68 at the Nanyuki Sports Club layout over the weekend.

Heading out to the course for the tournament, Miungi remembered that his drivers' grip had aged and needed to be changed.

Coincidentally, he replaced it with one he had worn in last year's maiden edition of December Monthly Mug presented by Meru-based Telluride Construction Company, specializing in machine-cut blocks.

Miungi, playing off handicap six, had an amazing outing on the course, picking several pars, two birdies and a lone bogey for the eventual winning score of 68 nett to star.

Handicap 25, Phillip Ngaru bagged the Men winner prize on a neat score of 71 nett ahead of Men winner second Maulid Ramadhan and Men winner third, Club Captain Anthony Rukwaro, who also brought in 71 nett each but lost to Ngaru on countback.

Purity Githui playing off handicap 18, fired 2-under-70 to emerge as the Lady winner with senior Hellen Kurutu taking home the Lady winner prize also on 2-under-70.

On an out-of-this-world score of 11-under-61, Sam Alpha, playing off handicap 38, won the Junior prize. Handicap -1, Cyprian Bundi was the Gross winner, with 74 Gross points.

Winning the First Nine was Jamba Stephen Wambugu, playing off handicap 17, on 35 nett, while the Second Nine prize was won by a handicap 13, Bernard Kitur, on 32 nett.

Mwaniki Mwariri, playing off handicap 30, had a tumultuous round from where he returned 91 nett to take home the Best Effort prize.

Luck struck twice for Miungi and Githui as they won Longest Drive Men and Lady's prizes, respectively.

Senior Captain Kehara won the Nearest to Pin prize on the par-three 18th hole.

"As a leading machine-cut blocks supplier in this region we are glad to be the sponsors of the December Mug on this amazing course and we shall be sponsoring again next year," said Bernard Kitur - Ceo, of Telluride Construction Company.

At Vetlab Sports Club, it was all celebrations as the club ushered in a new board of directors led by Chairman Dr Susan Ngure who garnered 90 votes in a tight contest against communication guru, Dick Omondi, who got 80 votes while Adam Nyaga, third with 33 votes.

In its 100 years of existence, Dr Ngure, officially became the third lady to hold the position after Nellius Kariuki (2011-2012) and Hon Mary Maingi (2020-2021), the current MP for Mwea.

"I promise to serve all, irrespective of your age, race, tribe, gender or religion. I congratulate all elected Board members. The aspirations of the members sorely rest on our stewardship. A team is like a toolset; not one tool can do all the jobs, but together it can. So, let us join our hands together to work as a formidable team," Ngure said in her acceptance speech.

In their Monthly Mug, Sandip Kantaria shot 69 nett to win the Overall prize ahead of senior Musikari Kombo, who brought back 70 nett and Men winner second prize winner David Evans on 72 nett.

Handicap 22, Chemutai Kenei was the Lady winner on 74 nett followed by Dorcas Mukabi with 76 nett while Rachel Ndei was Sponsor winner also on 76 nett.

In their Monthly Mug, Sandip Kantaria shot 69 nett to win the Overall prize ahead of senior Musikari Kombo, who brought back 70 nett and Men winner second prize winner David Evans on 72 nett.

Handicap 22, Chemutai Kenei was the Lady winner on 74 nett followed by Dorcas Mukabi with 76 nett while Rachel Ndei was Sponsor winner also on 76 nett.