Vekaria rules Coast Hospice Charity tourney

Tarit Kimtai makes a swing during the 2022 Coast Hospice Charity Golf tournament at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club Course in Mombasa County on November 5 2022. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard].

Little-known Daxaben Vekaria was no match for any other after fighting all the way to emerge the overall winner of the 2022 Coast Hospice Charity Golf competition at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club Course in Mombasa County on Saturday.

Playing off handicap 43 Vekaria carded 45 stable ford points from a 23 and 22 points in both nines to to claim the title and consequently register his first major victory after the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Actually, we came here to play an enjoyable game and assist our society in need but it was also great to emerge the overall winner in such an event. I'm hopeful of defending this title next year," said Vekaria.

The Standard Media Group PLC was among the sponsors in the day-long 18 holes stableford tournament that attracted 121 golfers from the Coast region and other parts of the country.

The event was organised by the Coast Hospice to raise funds for the vulnerable members in the society.

Other sponsors included Turtle Bay, Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers, Voi Wildlife Lodge and Medina Palms Hotel.

Tarit Kimtai playing off handicap 34 was the runners up on a score of 43 points ( 19-24) and taking the third place on a score of 42 points (19-23) was handicap 38 Harshil Shah.

The best senior prize was won by handicap 24 Ijaz Sheikh with 39 points (20-19) while handicap 17 Ally Is Haq on 43 points (21-22) and handicap 24 Col. Owino with 41 points (19-22) were the junior and guest winners respectively.

The club's captain Zafir Din thanked all the sponsors for making the tournament a success.

At the par 71 Sea-ling Mombasa Course, Mombasa businessman Andrew Miheso defied the odds to beat a team of 151 golfers to win the 2022 Pro-Am Mulembe Society Golf tournament played on Saturday.

Playing off handicap 19 Miheso returned a total of 46 points to bag the overall title in the tournament organised by the Mulembe Golfing Society to celebrate their western culture.

"Am really humbled and I thank God for the win. Though the course was not playing easy and getting over tricky pin positions, good greens and fairways were able to make my day," said Miheso.

Victor Simbi playing off handicap 18 was the Men's winner on 40 points and handicap 21, while Vincent Muriungi was the runners up after carding a count back score of 39 points.

The Club's lady captain Glady's Kasi playing off handicap 22 carded 41 points to win the Lady's prize after beating handicap 29 Everlyne Akinyi by a single point difference.

The junior winner was handicap 15 Harsimran Kaur with 36 points while handicap 6 Susan Stokes on 36 points and handicap 6 Eric Nyongesa with 35 points were the Member winner and Member Men's winner respectively.

Mulembe golfing captain Michalle Muhanda playing off handicap 16 returned 31 points to win the Member Lady prize.