Weekend clubs results roundup: Karano in opportune comeback

SPORTS-GOLF-MARY KARANO; Lady Golfer Mary Karano makes a swing. She emerged the silver Medal winner on 78 gross during the 2017 Ladies open golf championships played at the Thika Sports Course on Saturday,024th June,2017.[Maarufu Mohamed,Standard]

After years of failed attempts, former Kenya Lady champ bags title in Thika.

Undeterred by the splendour of the Thika Sports Club course, former Kenya lady Champion Mary Karano made a return to golf in style.

The champion posted a six over par 78 gross to claim the Ladies Open title. This is a unique golf course. It’s a 6,620-yard field that offers golfers with an opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking sceneries of the Aberdare ranges, Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimambogo.

The par 72 Thika Sports Club golf course is an 18-hole field that hosted its first tournament in 1922 and has a luxuriant lash green grass, trimmed to perfection providing an exciting challenge from tees to greens.

So when 100 lady golfers teed-off on Saturday during the one-day event, it was a familiar feeling for most, Karano included.

The Vet Lab golfer, who is a former Lady golfer of the year, had been having tournaments to forget. Victory in high-profile tournaments has been hard to come by. But on Saturday, she sunk a rare birdie at the par five-15th hole in the second nine.

She had played 10 level pars and bogeyed the rest of the holes in both nines to win the trophy.

“The course was playing well and I am very happy to make such a comeback,” said Karano.

Nakuru’s handicap 2 Josephine Ainley was the runner-up on 81 gross. Handicap 29 Nancy Kariuki, on 96 gross, won the Bronze medal, while Nakuru’s handicap 15 Josephine Wangari was the nett winner with a score of 74 nett.