Splendid shows

By JAMES WAINDI

Muthaiga’s resident professional Nicholas Rokoine played a superb round of five under par 67 in the third and final round of the inaugural Kenya Airways Pro Am Golf at the par 72 Windsor Golf and Country Club to emerge the eventual winner.

He picked six birdies and dropped a single point in the final round for a total of two under par 214 (75, 72, 67) and in the process went home cash prize of Sh154, 850.

Nakuru’s Richard Ainley was second on one over par 217 (72, 73, 72) to pocket Sh114, 100, while Thika’s Simon Ngige recovered after a second round poor display of six over to finish third on two over par 218 (69, 78, 71) to walk away with Sh89, 650.

Nyali’s Kopan Timbe was fourth on three over par 219 (70, 76, 73) and Windsor’s Brian Njoroge finished fifth on four over par 220 (74, 77, 69).

Meanwhile, Karen’s Francis Macharia played the golf of his life to emerge the overall winner of the Ketepa Golf Day at the Karen Country Club.

Macharia, playing off a handicap 11, was quick off the mark securing a birdie on the parfour first. He lost his swing briefly on the par five second, sending his drive to the bush on the right and a he could only manage a double bogey from there.

Impeccable score

But that was to be his only blot on his impeccable scorecard. He made birdie on the third another on the par three fifth, dropped a shot on the sixth to finish on level gross through the opening nine holes and scoring a massive 24 stable ford points.

On the back nine, he started off slowly, posting bogeys on the 10th, 11th and 13th holes. Birdies on the par three 14th and another on the closing par-five 18th crowned what was a very impressive two-over par gross round for Macharia.

This resulted into 45 points that steered him to victory. Speaking at the prize giving ceremony, Macharia thanked KETEPA for a well organised event.

"To play good golf, hydration is very key and I took full advantage of the Maisha water and Iced tea that Ketepa provided through out the golf course, that was my fuel for victory," Macharia said.

"I was swinging well and my putting was good, it was my day," Macharia told FeverPitch.

Impressed by skills

While congratulating the winner, Ketepa CEO Tim Chege said he was impressed by the skills displayed.

"At Ketepa, we are proud to be associated with excellence and the golf standards displayed at Karen are nothing short of excellent," Chege said. "On behalf of Ketepa, I would like to congratulate the winners for excellent golf and as the winner said, the key to good golf is Maisha water hydration! A bit of Safari Ice Tea may also help!"

One of Kenya’s most lethal amateur golfers, Amos Ngonjo, finished second with 41 points, having posted three birdies on the second, third and 18th holes, 11 pars and four bogeys.

Uncharacteristically, Ngonjo dropped shots on the relativel easy par-four fourth and another unforced error on the easy par five 15th.

Livingstone Murage finished thrid with 40 points beating Owino Ayodo, John Milne and Danny Mucira on countback. Visiting lady golfer Wanjiru Ikua was the best guest player with 40points.

Ketepa’s Chege had a rough day on the golf course but he managed a respectable 31 points and claimed the staff prize.