Nyali Club’s Kopan Timbe wins tourney on home turf

By Maarufu Mohamed

Kopan Timbe closed the golfing calendar in style after posting a two over par 73 gross to emerge the professional winner of the Mombasa Continental Euphoria tournament at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country course.

The club’s home professional displayed his might by rolling a back to back level pars on the par five-first, the par four second and the shortest par three-third holes.

But he lost control on the par four-fourth hole after his ball rolled out of the cup twice for a scratch, but improved on the par five-fifth hole sinking a birdie.

Timbe regained his focus and rolled successive level pars on par three-sixth, the par four-seventh, par four-eighth and the par four-ninth holes to close the outward nines on a one over 37 gross.

He returned in the inward nine starting with bad luck, hitting a bogey on the par three-10th hole, but found the par five-11th hole easy sinking a birdie shot before rolling a level par on the par four-12th hole.

Timbe’s shot on the par four-13th hole did not obey his orders after it circled round the cup twice for a double bogey shot, but improved on the par four-14th hole after sinking a birdie and rolled a level par on the par three-15th hole.

He scratched the par four-16th hole, but sank again a birdie on the par five-17th hole and closed the last par three-18th hole rolling a level par for a one-over 36 gross to seal the fate of his colleagues.

"This is my greatest gift to close the year but marks the beginning of more trophies next year," said Timbe.

Leisure Lodge Club’s professional John Davis scored a five over 76 gross to claim the runner-up slot, while Malindi club’s professional and the town Mayor Samson Mapinga settled for the third place on a score of six over 77 gross.

Mombasa Continental sponsored the one-day tournament that brought together over 180 golfers, including amateurs from Nyali, Mombasa, Leisure, Vipingo, Malindi and others in holiday.

In the stableford competition, George Githinji scored a countback score of 37 to win the men’s title after tying on the same points with Lumatete Muchai, who settled for the runner-up slot while James King’ori was third on a countback score of 36 points.

J Lanxe was the lady winner on 37 points and Jane Githere was the runner- up with a point behind. Mary Mugambi was third placed on 30 points.

M Karanja was the best guest on 30 points and P Macharia was the best senior on a score of 34 points.

The best junior prize was won by Jonathan Chebukati on a score of 39 points and C Gichohi scored 33 points to claim the staff winner prize.

At the Leisure Lodge in Diani, Stefan Wentzel, playing off handicap 12, lifted the Dr Meister’s 2011 Memorial Trophy after winning on 39 stableford points.

Handicap 22 Eleonore Noll was the runner-up on a countback score of 37 points after tying on the same points with Ronald G’Omariba who settled for the third slot.

Leisure Lodge Beach Resort sponsored the one-day event that attracted 120 golfers at the par 72 course in memory of Dr Wilheim Meister, who constructed the 18 holes golf course.