Golf: Halima makes Kenya open Pro-Am cut

Barclay's Nakuru Open overall winner Halima Mwende (left) receives her prize from Barclay's Chief financial officer Yusuf Omari (right) during the presentation dinner at the Nakuru golf club, February 11, 2018. PHOTO: Mose Sammy, Standard

Nakuru golf club's Lady Captain Halima Mwende shot a solid round of 44 stableford points to clinch the overall title during the Barclay's Nakuru open golf tournament played at the par 73, Nakuru golf club over the weekend.

Halima playing of handicap 30, braved the scorching sun and dry course condition carding 23 stableford points from the outward nine and went on to collect an additional 21 stableford points from the inward nine for a total of 44 stableford point that saw her prevail over a large field of 145 golfers.

"It's my first major win in a tourney of this stature, this I must add is as a result of lots of practice and a I thank all the golfers who played today for allowing me to win." said Halima

The win saw her make the cut to play in the Barclay's Kenya open Pro-Am that will be played on March 21, 2018 at the Muthaiga golf club in addition to two season tickets to the event.

Barclay's Pro-Am is a curtain raiser event to the 50th edition of the Barclay's Kenya open that will be played in which a high calibre of 150 local and foreign pro's are expected to battle it out for the Sh 62.5 million (Euros 500, 000) prize fund, so far the richest tournament in the European challenge tour.

The event is co-sponsored by; Kenya open golf limited, Safaricom, FlexAir charter services, DSTV, East African breweries limited and Simbacolt Motors.

In other results of the tournament; Njuguna Njoka was the Men winner on a score of 40(18+22) stableford points, Victor Kananyura won the Men winner second prize on a score of 39(18+21) stableford points.

Miriam Wanjiku playing off handicap 16 was the Lady winner on a score of 39(19+20) stableford points, Josephine Kaime playing off handicap 9, was Lady second prize winner after a long hiatus after suspension from the club on a score of 37(20+17) stableford points.

Soulyman Soro was the 1st Nine winner with 24 stableford points as Enock Ogembo took the 2nd Nine prize with 21 stableford points.The Longest drive Men prize went to Hon Caleb Kositany with Esther Karuga taking the Longest drive Lady prize.

Charles Mecha was Nearest to the Pin Men prize winner with Eleanor Wambui taking the Nearest to the Pin Lady prize as the Junior prize went to birthday-boy Trevor Hungi playing off handicap 19 on a score of 30(15+15) stableford points.

John Kamais was the Gross prize winner on a score of 35 stableford points, Tom Chirchir won the Guest prize on a score of 38(20+18) stableford points as Barclay's chief financial officer won the Staff prize on a score of 30(16+14) stableford points.

Team ball/(Shetani) ball winner prize went to; Ali Wasim, Sila Munyao, T Chirchir and K Juma on a combined team score of 42 stableford points  with Anthony Mwendia playing off handicap 28 bagging Best Effort/Piga Mingi prize on a score of 9(3+6) stableford points.

The fourth leg of the Barclay's Open six tournament series of curtain raiser events moves to the Nyanza club for the Kisumu open on the February 24, 2018, then to the Nyali golf & country club for the Pwani open on March 3, 2018 before winding up with the Mt. Kenya Open at the Thika sports club on March 10, 2018 as it seeks to create awareness among  amateurs and junior golfers.