Maara sinks 6 birdies to triumph over 184 golfers
Golf
By
Maarufu Mohamed
| Apr 08, 2019
He came, saw and conquered the 6,972 yards par 72 Karen Golf course in this year’s 20th Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK)-Architects Chapter golf tournament at the weekend.
Handicap 2 Limuru golfer Dennis Maara carded a sterling countback score of 42 stableford points to emerge the overall winner in the day-long 18-hole tournament, beating a team of 183 golfers.
Maara began with sinking two back-to-back birdies at the par four-first and par five-second holes before adding four more birdies in the second nines.
Though he played a single double bogey shot at the par four-ninth hole, and two bogey shots, Maara rolled nine level pars in the rest of the holes to give him the deserved lead.
“I came with no hope of winning but my first two birdies propelled me well throughout the course and I thank my teammates for their unwavering support. The course is in fantastic shape and I hope to defend the title next year,” said Maara.
He tied on the same points with home club’s handicap 13 Peter Githae, who was the Man winner. Handicap 18 S.K. Gatura, on 38 points, was the Man Runner-up.
Handicap 37 Nisha Van Hoek from Karen posted 37 points to win the lady’s title, one point ahead of Vet Lab’s handicap 23 Grace Wanjohi, who was second.
Karen’s handicap 28 Vicky Karugahe was the best Architect on 38 points, while handicap 17 James Gitoho was declared the Most Senior Architect on 31 points.
Aisha Duba won the nearest to pin (women), while X.N Iraki triumphed in the men’s category.
The Architects Chapter Chairlady Arch. Florence Nyole thanked golfers for taking part in the tournament.
“The tournament gives value to the AAK members and also offers a networking platform for us,” said Nyole.
The AAK President-elect Mugure Njendu said the tournament has become an important annual event that is aimed at bringing people from different professions together.
The Architectural Association, established in 1967, is Kenya’s leading Association for professionals in building and natural environment sectors.
It incorporates vital chapters including Architect, Quantity surveyors, Town planners and Landscape architects, among others.