Gathuri dominates Nomadic golf series at Nyali Golf Club

Peter Gathuri in action during the fifth leg of Nomadic golf series at Nyali Golf and Country Club, City of Mombasa, September 17, 2023. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

'Peter Gathuri braved the scorching heat to overcome a field of 167 golfers to secure the overall title in the fifth leg of Nomadic Golf series at Nyali Golf and Country Club course on Saturday.

The handicap 15 golfer stormed to the podium after a great run on his first nine from where he garnered a total of 21 stable ford points even with a blank on the 15th hole which didn’t dampen his title shot.

And after the midway break, Gathuri sustained his tempo playing alongside handicap four, Larry Wambua with whom they had a high-stake wager which he ferociously defended after picking an additional 19 stable ford points with no one else able to come out on top.

“I have been practicing a lot lately alongside Larry Wambua and Eng John Chege and my game has been on an upward trajectory, this feels great,” said Gathuri, who hasn’t won any major tournament since last year.

Breathing on Gathuri’s neck was Tom Soigwa playing off handicap 20 who returned a score of 39 (21+18) stable ford points to take men winner prize with a better countback score than handicap 22, Tony Wanyama settling for men winner second on a similar score of 39 (21+18) stable ford points.

The tournament is dubbed “Road to Cape town” as the winner of the grand finale to be held at Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort on December 2 will win a fully paid for trip to Cape Town courtesy of the series organiser, Nomadic Golf Limited.

Ten golfers qualified to participate in the grand finale. They are Jatin Malde (40), Peter Gathuri (40), Tom Soigwa (39), Ian Marshal (38) and SM Kamau (38).

And the ladies who emerged from the leg are Hellen Wanjiru (39), Florence Karimi (37), Wanjiku Kinyeru (36), Janet Wasike (36) and Zaituni Mohamed (35).

Hellen Wanjiru playing off handicap27 won lady winner prize on a score of 39 stable ford points to outshine lady winner second, Florence Karimi by two points with 37 stable ford points.

The best senior was Peter Macharia who posted 38(17+21) stable ford points while the towering Kelly Rob playing off handicap eight led the juniors on a superb score of 39 stable ford points.

Nanyuki Sports Club’s Gabriel Miungi carded an identical score 18 from both nines for a total of 36 stableford points to lift guest prize.

In the men high handicapper's division, Michael Sangoro playing off handicap 32 led the rest of the pack on a score of 37 stable ford points while Diana Nthiwa playing off handicap 46 topped in the lady's section on a score of 38 stable ford points.

Nathan Ngweno bagged longest drive men prize with Truphena Oyaro taking longest drive lady winner prize.

The series will be back to the coastal city for its sixth leg on November 11 with a longest drive Championship at a yet to be confirmed venue before the grand finale at the Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort at the end of the year.

At Nakuru Golf Club, on-form scratch golfer John Khamais continued with his winning streak after inking 37 stable ford points to win Greenspan Golf tournament main prize as well as lead in Division one, four points ahead of his closest challenger, Andrew Waititu on a score of 33 stable ford points. Mandeep Sahota was third on a score of 32 stable ford points.

Gross winner prize was won by greenkeeper Luther Kamau with Ramesh Khagram winning senior prize on a score of 36 stable ford points.

Nancy Kimemia took lady winner prize on a score of 35 stable ford points with Bernice Nginja on 34 stable ford points winning guest prize.

Collins Kipkurui won longest drive men prize and Emma Pennington winning longest drive lady prize.