Final push: Rajani wins last Barclays Golf Circuit round in Muthaiga

By Erick Ochieng’

Former Transport Minister Amos Kimunya follows his tee during the 14th leg of the Barclays Golf Circuit at Muthaiga Golf Club at the weekend. [PHOTO:JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Home player Uday Rajani beat 252 players to emerge the winner of the 14th and final Barclays Golf Circuit round at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club on Saturday.

Playing off handicap six, Rajani posted an identical score of 19 stableford points in both first and second nines for a total of 38 points to narrowly win the day-long competition by a single shot.

However, it was junior golfers from the club who stole the show as they produced the best team to book tickets to the Grand Finale set for February 22 at the Karen Golf and Country Club.

Junior player Mutahi Kibugu, playing off handicap eight, stunned the field as he beat handicap eight Pius Angasa on countback to finish second in the high profile competition on 37 points.

In the first nine, Kibugu posted 16 points before amassing 21 points in the back nine. Angasa settled for the third spot on 37 points (17, 20).

Lady winner

Handicap 12 Kellie Gachaga, also a junior golfer, emerged the lady winner on 32 points (14, 18), while handicap 29 Grace Gakiria followed her closely in the ladies runner-up position on 31 points (16, 15).

Paul Muia, playing off handicap 18, won the guest prize on 32 points (15, 17), while handicap 20 B. Koyier finished as the guest runner-up on 31 points (13, 18).

John Munge, playing off handicap 24 won the junior prize on 32 points (15, 17), while the men straightest drive prize went to David Farrar and the lady straightest drive prize went to Olive Njagi.

Raphael Anampiu had the men nearest to the pin and Meera Shah won the lady’s nearest to the pin prize.

Staff prize

The staff prize went to handicap 24 P. Nganga on 27 points (15, 12), while the team prize was won by a team comprising junior players Kellie Gachaga, Mutahi Kibugu and Sean Nganga after they amassed a collective score of 37 points.

Speaking during the prize giving ceremony, Barclays Bank’s Managing Director, Jeremy Awori, thanked the participants for turning up in large numbers.

The overall winner during the grand finale will land a fully paid golfing tour on the expansive golf courses in South Africa, while the top 20 at the finale will get slots to play at next month’s Barclays Kenya Open Golf Pro Am.

“The pro-am is a dream for any amateur golfer where they get an opportunity to play with mainly top European professionals that grace the Barclays Kenya Open between March 6 and 9. Courtesy of Barclays hospitality, they will also get season tickets and VIP guest passes to the Barclays Hospitality tent at the Barclays Kenya Open,” Awori said.

Before the final round at Muthaiga, the Circuit had visited Limuru, Nakuru, Nyanza, Nyali, Eldoret, Nyeri, Royal, Karen, Vet Lab, Machakos, Thika, Windsor and Sigona. —[e-mail]