Shah wins first leg of KCB Golf Tour in Thika

By James Waindi

Royal Nairobi Golf Club professional Anil Shah picked up from where he left last year to win the first leg of this year’s KCB Golf Tour held at the par 72 Thika Sports Club at the weekend.

Shah who won the tournament’s grand finale held at Nyali Golf and Country Club last August had a dream start to this year’s tour and will be hoping to maintain the form in the remaining events.

He produced an impressive five under par 67 on the final day of the KCB Advantage Banking Challenge, to walk away with the top prize.

He picked a total of six birdies and only dropped a single shot to bring his total to five under par 211 having shot an identical score of 72 in each of the first two rounds.

Shah later attributed his victory to change of swing and a lot of practicing. He beat home player and defending champion Simon Ngige and Muthaiga’s Nicholas Rokoine by two strokes. The victory saw the Royal player take home Sh108,000.

"I have started the season well and I think it is a sign of the way things will be this season,’’ said Shah.

Retained title

Ngige, who won the 2010 event and retained the title last year, was on course of repeating the trend, but tumbled on the final round as he shot one under par 71 on the final day for a total of 213 to tie with Rokoine who had carded five under par 67.

Day one leader Dismas Indiza, who fumbled in the second round where he shot 79 to drop to seventh place, made a tremendous recovery on the final day, firing five under par 67 to finish fourth on 214, and two shots better than the Great Rift Valley Resort’s David Wakhu.

Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) chairman Riz Charania scored a total of 218 (74, 74, 70) and was followed closely by former golfer of the year Sullivan Muthugia who carded 219 (71, 70, 78).

Meanwhile, handicap seven Steve Waruhiu posted 40 points (19, 21) to become the overall winner of the Kenya Airways Golf Safari held at the Karen Golf and Country Club.

J Wahome, playing off handicap 19, was the men winner on 40 points (20, 20), while handicap eight Stanley Nduati became the men runner-up on 39 points (17, 22).

Margaret Thande, playing off handicap 23, was the lady winner on 37 points (16, 21) and Philip Otolo won the junior category on 28 points.

The group of Njuguna Munyambu, Mwangi Muthee, David Nduati & John Karuga won the team category with 39 pts, while Penina Waita won the ladies longest drive and Denis Kuchio won the men longest drive. Flora Wokabi registered the nearest to the pin.