Kaguta and Ockotch crowned strokes play champions at Nyali

Nyali's William Kaguta swings his way to gross victory at the Nyali Golf and Country club course in Mombasa County on Saturday.[Maarufu Mohamed, Standard].

Home club's Senior Members William Kaguta and Christine Ockotch proved their might after being crowned the stroke play champions in the 2023 Mug and Ladies Medal Golf tournament played at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club course in Mombasa County on Saturday.

Playing off handicap 4, Kaguta returned a four over par 75 gross to win the Men gross title while handicap 16 Ockotch closed on a total 85 gross to claim the ladies gross side.

"I was aiming my drives to the greens and making precise putts on the greens and though the course was a bit challenging today following rains thankfully, I was able to make it,"said Kaguta who registered his first major win this season.

The daylong 18 holes tourney sponsored by the Club also saw Kaguta claim the Mug title in the A division category after carding 71 nett while handicap 8 Dahir Awdeer on 77 nett and handicap 12 Dinesh Sasan with 86 nett were the runners up and third placed winners respectively.

The B section was won by Handicap 18 Sammy/M.Kamau who returned 72 nett ahead of handicap second placed handicap 14 Faizullah Kudrati who had a score of 74 nett and third placed handicap17 Sanjay Kotecha returning a score of 76 nett.

Nyali's Christine Ockotch makes a winning gross swing at the Nyali Golf and Country club course in Mombasa County on Saturday.[Maarufu Mohamed, Standard

Joseph Kaguru playing off handicap 22 took lead in the C division with 71 nett, while handicap 24 David Soars on 73 nett and handicap 26 Tom Abwao with 75 nett were the runners up and second placed winners respectively.

The C division winner on 78 nett was handicap 39 Robert Muhita and handicap 34 Alpesh Malde sat second after returning 81 nett.

Ockotch took charge of the Ladies again claiming the Ladies Medal by winning the A division slot on 69 nett while the Club's former Lady Captain Mary Kandu playing off handicap 12 claimed the runners up slot on 74 nett and handicap 19 Florence Karimi was third with 80 nett.

"I have not been playing active golf due to work pressure of work but now am back to the course and watching the space,"said Ockotch.

Handicap 33 Rose Kinyanjui carded 74 nett to win the B division while the Club's immediate Lady Captain Annmarie De-Jong playing off handicap 30 returned 81 nett for the second place and taking the third slot on 83 nett was handicap 26 Everlyne Akinyi.

Radio Journalist Joan Kimani playing off handicap 44 went home happy after bagging the C division prize on 79 nett while handicap 16 Carren Akoth with 70 nett and Mombasa Lawyer Provia Odhiambo on 29 putts ere the best caddy and best putter winners of the day.

Vet Lab's Mercy Nyanchama in action. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard].

At the Par 72 Karen Country Club course on the same day, Vet Lab's Mercy Nyanchama beat a team of 200 ladies to emerge the overall winner of the second edition of the 2023 Karen Ladies Open Golf Championship.

Nyanchama survived narrowly on a count back score of six over par 78 gross after tying on the same score with second placed Louisa Gitau.

"I have been practicing a lot and though the first edition did not favor me, now back in action and hope to play aggressively better in the forthcoming editions, "said Nyanchama.

The event which is part of the Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) Golfer of the Year competitions and organized by Karen Country Club saw Agnes Nyakio claim third position on 79 gross while Margaret Njoki on 82 gross and Joyce Wanjiri with 86 gross were fourth and Fifth respectively.

Nyawira Macharia carded 75 nett to win the junior prize while Patrick Rono was the sponsor winner on 72 nett.

The Club's Lady Captain Doreen Murithi thanked the golfers who turned up from all over the country and Sponsors to make the day successful and exciting.

"The course is in excellent condition, and I am sure it provided a challenging yet enjoyable experience for all the participants and we look forward to hosting a successful event. We are grateful to our sponsors, including EABL through Johnnie Walker, for their continued support of golf in Kenya, and we look forward to a successful tournament," she added.

Johnnie Walker brand's Marketing Manager Josephine Katambo said that the tournament was a great step towards promoting women's golf.

"As a brand, Johnnie Walker is committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity in sports, and we are proud to be sponsoring this year's Karen Ladies Open. We recognize the importance of supporting women's golf in Kenya and creating opportunities for female golfers to showcase their talent and we believe that through our partnership, we can help promote golf as a sport for all and inspire more women to take up golf. We are excited about the tournament and the opportunity it provides to showcase our brand's values and commitment to social responsibility," she added.

OTHER CLUB RESULTS

Karen Ladies 2023 Open Championship;

Nett winners;

Division A winner-Wayua Mululu-72nett acb,Runners up-Naomi Kimata-72nett acb,Third-Rachel Ndei-74nett acb,Division B winner-Janealice Mutuota-70nett,Runners up-Brianna Ngecu-70nett,Third-Carol Onsando-73nett acb,Division C winner-Lillian Atho-68nett,Runners up-Marie Mugo-70nett acb,Third-Rehema Okal-70nett acb;

NAKURU GOLF CLUB 2023 Flamingo Shield;

Sponsored by Glenlivet, Maxine Creation;

Overall winner-Philip Gathii-40points,First runners up-Francis Gathenya (18)-39points, Second runners up-Jeff Storry-39points,Lady winner-Nancy Kimemia-36points,Runners up-Teresia Muturi-34points,New member winner man-Roy Bwuoma-37points,New member winner Lady-Emma Penington-36points,Gross winner-John Kamais-36points,Guest winner-James Onchwari-39points;

LIMURU COUNTRY CLUB;

KCB 2023 Golf Series;

Winning team-John Kariuki, Paul Kahura, Tony Karani, Victor Gichuru-110points,Runners up-Mathu Ng'ang'a, Nicholas Gathuru, Wallace Mwaura, Wilfred Gathu-106points,Overall winner-Alvin Mbugua (15)-45points,Men winner-Victory Waiyaki (10)-43points,Lady winner-Beth Kariuki (22)-37points,Junior winner-Sean Lyomu (27)-32points,Staff winner-Scola Onsongo (30)-36points,Guest winner-Walter Njenga (18)-40points,Longest Drive Men-James Kimani,Longest Drive Lady-Scola Onsongo,Nearest to Pin winner-Capt. Waweru Thuku;

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