Nduva makes a casual walk to victory at Leisure Club

Coast hotelier Pauline Nduva proved her might by sinking a rare birdie to boost her victory in the Diamond Leisure Golf Resort Club's Lady captain (Vanda Harries) Prize Golf tournament in Diani, Kwale County, over the weekend.

Playing off handicap 36, Nduva carded an excellent 38 stableford points to emerge the overall Members winner in the day-long 18 hole tournament hosted by the club to bid outgoing Lady Captain Vanda Harries farewell. She served the club for three years.

Nduva's victory came after playing a 20 and 18 points in both nines as she registered her first major victory this year.

"I am happy with the win, even though I have not been playing a lot of golf due to my busy schedule after Tourism picked up since last November. It was a competitive tournament with the course being quite tricky, but I thank God, it was a good day with a lot of fun especially with my playing partners," said Nduva.

"This is the start and hopefully, I shall play even better in the upcoming events."

Handicap 18 Kerry Venturini was the runner-up on 31 points (18-13), beating handicap 21 Cheryl Bush to the third slot with a single point.

Ian Leckie, playing off handicap 19, returned 45 points (25-20) to emerge the Men members winner, while handicap 12 Ken Ndege was second with 37 points (22-15).

A marshall control crowd during the Magical Kenya Open Day Two of the event at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club course. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Handicap 17 Harsimran Kaur was the Guest Lady winner on 40 points (20-20), while her father and mentor handicap 9 Gurbux Singh won in the men's category with 34 points (18-16).

Handicap 40 Amar Hunjan, with 40 points (20-20), won the Best winner prize for over 36 handicappers, while handicap 41 Eva Karuiku claimed the runner-up slot on 34 points (15-19).

The tournament was graced by among others the Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) Coast representative Terry Oddo, and several members of the Mombasa Golf Club led by its Lady captain Fiona Mbadi.

Mombasa Golf Club also sent a large number of golfers led by the club's captain James Gitonga, its former club chairman Ken Mwangi, George Thama and Elijah Ibua.

Diamond Leisure Club's outgoing Lady captain Vanda Harries thanked the golfers, club members and committee officials for making the event a success.

"I would like to thank those who came from Mombasa and crossed the Likoni Ferry. Now you have experienced the feelings we undergo through the ferry crossing when we come to your tournaments," said Harries.

Elsewhere at Kenya Railways Golf course, the team of Mildred Malubi and Wairimu Wanjaiya won the Railway Ladies invitation tournament with a combined countback score of 43 points.

The duo had tied on the same score with Anne Muya and Fenah Bosire's team while the third slot was claimed by the team of Grace Kathumbi and Keziah Korir, who returned 42points.