Golf: Wanjiku scoops top accolade in Thika meet

Betty Mutua in action at Thika Sports Club. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

On a combined score of 25 stableford points from the outward nine and 16 stableford points from the inward nine for a total of 41 stableford points, Veronica Wanjiku emerged the winner of Thika Sports Club Lady Captain (Julia Maina) 2022 prize.

Wanjiku playing off handicap 28, returned the commendable score to beat a field of 236 golfers who graced the tournament presented by Prime Bank, Laxcon, Tai Sacco Aluglass Africa Limited, Dawa, Farmers Choice, Alliance Realtors Limited and Friends of The Lady Captain.

Over 20 golf clubs participated in the tournament played under stableford scoring format, among them, host Thika Sports Club, Ruiru Golf Club, Thika Greens Golf Resort, Nyanza Golf Club, Kiambu Golf Club, Muthaiga Golf.

Others were Nyeri Club, Nakuru Golf Club, Mombasa Sports Club, Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort, Railway Golf Club, Machakos Golf Club, Nyahururu Sports Club, Eldoret Club and Kitale Club among others.

Wanjiku attributed her good showing to time invested into her practice rounds while seeking to better her game and glad that it was paying off with such a win.

"I have been told severally that I have a commercial handicap because of my level of play in comparison with my game standard. Since I don't have control over how it drops, I have decided to keep working at it and ensure I have a respectable handicap." Wanjiku said

Former Lady Captain Maria Muthee, playing off handicap 23, bagged the Lady Winner on a score of 40 (21+19) stableford points beating handicap 28, Faith Maina, on countback with a similar score of 40(24+16) stableford points.

Handicap 22, Margaret Waweru, settled for Lady Winner third on a score of 39(22+17) stableford points.

In the Men category, handicap 18, Simon Mbote fired 40(21+19) stableford points to take Men winner second prize, Victor Kibe who posted 38(18+20) stableford points with SM Kibuiya coming in as Men winner third on a score of 38 stableford points.

Guest winner prize went to a handicap 39, carded 38(20+18) stableford points to lift the prize with Rebecca Njui coming in second with 34(18+16) stableford points.

Men Guest winner prize went to Father Stephen Gaitho playing off handicap 15, on a score of 40(19+21) stableford points. Men guest winner second prize was won by Watson Njenga 39(17+22) stableford points.

Prime Bank's Sharma Gouri was the best sponsor golfer with 37(18+19) stableford points as Stanley Mbugua came in second with 37(19+18) stableford points.

Paul Njuguna holed out an ace on hole number 15, a par three and had the honors of ringing the bell for all present to celebrate his feat.

This is in addition to the 12 twos registered by: Vevek Vajpayee (15), Dr JK Muoria (15), Stewart Karuma (15), Moses Gatonye (15), Rose Kangethe (15), Stanley Mbugua (15).

Others were, BK Macharia (15), Khrishna Shah (15), HS Rayat (15), B Musau (15), Pro Samuel Njoroge (15), and Dr Karienye.

Up at Nanyuki Sports Club, Captain Joe Kihara playing off handicap 8, on a score of 37(16+21) stableford points to lift the Kenya Defense Forces trophy closely by Major Korosso who came in second on a score of 34 stableford points.

Purity Githui won the Ladies gong on a score of 37(19+18) stableford points. Jennifer Kariuki playing off handicap 20, posted 32(16+16) stableford points to take Lady Winner second prize.

At Railway Golf Club, Abel Chege form Nakuru Golf Club aced sunk a hole-in-one on hole-number 6 to win a Piaggio (passenger model) Tuktuk valued at Sh450,000 while none of the remaining 125 golfers managed to win the prize on hole 17, an Apache sports TVS bike courtesy of the tournament sponsors, Car & General. [email protected]

Car & General Golf Day winners

Overall winner - Jennifer Ngure (16) 40 pts

Overall second - Silas Otiola (16) 39 pts

Overall third - Azu Ogola (26) 38 pts

Overall Fourth - Mildred Malubi (21) 38 pts

Overall Fifth - Francis Kung'u (18) 37 pts

Lady winner - Irene Kimeu (24) 35 pts

Gross winner - Francia Muthiani (6) 77 Gross

Guest winner - Abel Kimondo (16) 33 pts

First Nine winner - Joseph Kagicha 20 pts

Second Nine winner - Mercy Wambugu 20 pts

Longest Drive Men - Jonathan Marucha

Longest Drive Lady - Mildred Malubi

Nearest to Pin Man - Abel Kimondo

Nearest to Pin Lady - Jennifer Ngure

Guest winner prize went to a handicap 39, carded 38(20+18) stableford points, with Rebecca Njui coming in second with 34 (18+16) stableford points.

Men Guest winner prize went to Father Stephen Gaitho, playing off handicap 15, on a score of 40 (19+21) stableford points.