Rokoine claims East African event as Simwa stars at Kabete

By Feverpitch Team

Kenya’s golf Professional Nicholas Rokoine went home richer by a half a million after emerging overall winner in Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) 2012 East African Golf Championship.

This was after four days grueling competition in the grand finale tour that ended at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club course in Mombasa on Saturday.

The Muthaiga golfer opened the first round on Wednesday on three under par 68 gross and did the same for the second day on Thursday.

He added one over par 70 gross on Friday and a two over par 73 gross in the final day on Saturday for a cumulative total of 279 gross to claim the title and cash prize Sh339,000 from KCB. Rokoine was also declared the KCB Professional of Kenya 2012 order of Merit leader that earned him additional Sh200,000 .

“We played under very tough pin positions in the greens, but I was focused and played a skilful game to claim the victory,” said Rokoine.

Cash prize

David Wakhu of Royal Club was the runner-up on a total round score of 285 gross (72-72-71-70) and was awarded Sh280,000.

Thika’s Simon Ngige who also received some cash prize was third on 289 gross, a point ahead of Rwanda’s Emanuel Ruterna who was placed fourth and Golf Park’s Jacob Okello was fifth on 292.

Handicap 33 Florence Aranga posted 42 stableford points to win the KCB Amateurs section in the Pro-Am event.

The 2012 KCB East Africa tour series started at Thika Golf Club in the first week of February and marks the sixth edition since it was started in 2007 as a small Pro-Am series and sponsored by KCB to a tune of Sh950,000 but later increased to Sh9m today.

Sponsor tour

The bank’s Chief Business Officer Peter Kimondo said that the bank will be sponsoring the same tour next year.

At Vet Lab, home player Nelson Simwa scooped 221 gross to emerge overall winner of Kabete Open which is part of Keringet-sponsored Golfer of the Year series.

The Kabete Open was historic in two ways. First it was the first time that a GOTY event was held at the Vet Lab and the first time in the series to be won by home player.

 Justus Madoya of Great Rift Valley was placed second on 229 gross while Robinson Owiti of Vet Lab was third on 232.

Elsewhere, Zipporah Wachira carded 41 points to emerge overall winner in Westland’s Toyota Golf Day at Sigona Golf Club.

The guest winner title went to D Kiambi on 38 points, while staff winner was W Kangangi on 27 points while runner-up position went to Sandeep Matharu of 40 points who beat Sandeesh Shah on count back.

Kush Ghadia was first nine winner on 24 points, while Peter Kiguru came first in second nine on 23 points.

Anthony Wachira hit the longest drive among men participants while ladies honour went to Jane Njau. A Sachdeva was the nearest to the pin.

 —Reporting by Maarufu Mohamed and Oscar Pilipili