Gakuo steadies to triumph in Mombasa club captain prize

Gabriel Gakuo swings during the Mombasa Golf Club Captain (Lawrence Odhiambo) 2021 prize tournament, on Saturday. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard].

Mombasa lawyer Gabriel Gakuo braved all odds to emerge the overall winner of the club’s captain (Lawrence Odhiambo) 2021 prize, on Saturday.

Gakuo, who survived the tough dry course condition, strong winds and the current ongoing harsh coastal heat, brought a 29 differential points to lead in the tournament.

The lawyer was awarded the Captain’s Putter, a Kenya Airways return ticket to any destination in East Africa and a golf bag trophy.

“I played good golf despite the hard condition on the course and this victory is dedicated to all members of the club. Thank you captain, sponsors and fellow golfers for making this a success,” said Gakuo.

The two-day event, which started on Friday on a medal ford and stableford formats on Saturday, was meant to bid farewell to the outgoing club chairman Lawrence Odhiambo.

Over 100 golfers attended the event that was jointly sponsored by Safaricom, Sasini, Absa, Queens Court Hotel, Contech, Glenlivet, Kenya Airways, Tea warehouse Limited, Stanbic, Combrook, Altas Tea Brokers, and friends of the captain, among others.

Aloise Ogola returned 40 differential points to emerge the Men winner, a two-point difference with Anthony Kariuki, who was the runner-up.

The club’s lady captain Gladys Kasi was the lady winner on 35 points, beating Christine Kinyeru to the runner-up slot on a two point’s difference.

The best overall gross winner was Henry Kamau, on 158 gross, while left-handed golfer Elijah Ibua, on a 50 differential points, was the best senior, while school boy Mwai Mariga, with 75 gross, was the best junior winner.

Meanwhile, Muranga’s handicap 29 Ann Kanyori carded 40 points to emerge the overall winner of the Metumi golf tournament played at the Thika Greens Golf resort, on Saturday.

Handicap 15 J.Njagu was the men winner on 39 points, while handicap 11 Patrick Theche, on 40 points, was the member winner.

The day-long event was jointly sponsored by KPC, Friends of Metumi, Muungano Microfinance Bank, EABL and K2U.

Lucy Njuguna, playing off handicap 16, was the lady winner on 31 points, while handicap 5 Danny Chelogoi was the junior winner after returning a score of 40 points.

Elsewhere, Sigona Golf Club member Peter Kiguru bagged 20 votes against George Gathu’s nine, to become the new Kenya Golf Federation (KGF) chairman.