Handicap 8 Munene tops in Nyeri outing

Father Anthony Munene in action in Nyeri at the weekend. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Father Anthony Munene fired a sterling round total of 66-nett to triumph during Nyeri Golf Club’s Ladies Medal tournament played at the par-72 course, over the weekend.

Playing off handicap 8, the Nyeri based cleric had a superb outing on the course returning an identical score of 37 gross from both nines to close on 74 gross during the tournament presented by Nyeri Woman Mp Hon Rahab Mukami to observe October, as a breast cancer awareness month.

It was a sweet victory for Munene who was playing host to his buddies “Monday Blues” comprised of golfers drawn from Muthaiga Golf Club, Karen Country Club, Thika Greens Golf Resort, Thika Sports Club, Ruiru Sports Club and Mombasa Front Course among others who usually play together every Monday.

Munene had a mixed score bag, inking three birdies, 11 pars, three bogeys and a lone double-bogey to prevail over a field of 73 golfers who participated in the tournament played under clear blue skies.

On his outward nine, Munene realized his pars on the opener, a par-four. Spiced up his scorecard with a birdie on the par-four fifth before carding his third par of the day on the course’s signature hole, Kerio Valley, a par-five sixth with subsequent pars on the par-four seventh, par-four eighth and the ninth, a par-three.

After his midway break, a psyched-up Munene was off the deck on the par-four 10th deck with a 3-wood which landed plum-center next to the 100-yard marker from where he pitched his Pinnacle-1 softball to the left of the green from where he holed-out a 20-foot putt for an easy birdie.

He then picked back-to-back pars on the 11th a par-three, par-five 12th, par-4 14th before descending Kerio Valley on the back nine 15th with a deserved second birdie.

Munene suffered mild “birdiosis” on the par-four 16th hole from where he picked his sole double-bogey from his round of 18.

While attempting the Longest Drive on the par-four 17th, Munene’s sliced his tee-shot to the right of the fairway which came to rest on the shallow rough from where he executed a low-punch shot that slithered onto the green and firm putted saving par in style.

Overall winner Father Anthony Munene lines up his tee-shot on the par-four 14th hole during Ladies Medal tournament at Nyeri Golf Club, October 24, 2020. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

His two other bogeys were picked on the par-three second, par-four fourth and the par-four 13th hole.

“I was out to entertain my “Monday Blues” golfing buddies who were visiting my home club for a round of golf on Monday (today).” We were out to challenge each other as most of them are serious golfers in their own right but Nyeri course’s terrain proved more challenging for them, I guess! Here I'm savouring sweet victory.” said Munene

“My game was solid today. I can’t complain! I was hitting the fairways and reaching the greens on regulation. As for greens with Kikuyu grass, they were pretty fast today.” added Munene

In her address, Honourable Mukami said that the anticipated amendments to the constitution should consider anchoring the need to tap, nurture and develop raw talent in sports which abounds within our midst. Now that sports is equally well paying across the world.

Men winner prize was won by George Kiguta on 69-nett as senior golfer SWN Githitu settled for Men winner third on 71-nett. Handicap 32, Pauline Miriga donned the Ladies gong on a score of  71-nett.

Handicap 13 P Karanja was the Guest winner Men on 72 nett as Guest winner prize Lady went to a handicap 20 Caroline Kibanya on 88 nett. In the commercials, Rajesh Mahan claimed the Nearest to Pin Men prize.

Three Twos were registered by Hon Jamleck Kamau on hole 18, Lucy Wamuyu on hole 9 and Dr Isaac Charagu on hole 2.