Nyanchama dominates Mt Kenya circuit

Mount Kenya Circuit overall winner Mercy Nyanchama in action at the par-three ninth hole, Nanyuki Sports Club, May 26, 2024. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Mercy Nyanchama fended off a stiff challenge from Esther Chumo to win the Nanyuki Ladies Open on Sunday.

The Vet Lab Sports Club amateur had a shaky start to the Mount Kenya tri-club circuit hosted at the nine-hole Nyahururu Sports Club, Nyeri Club and Nanyuki Sports Club course this past weekend.

Hundreds of lady golfers graced the Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) sanctioned events.

The Nanyuki leg saw the participation of golfers from host Nanyuki Sports Club, Nyahururu Sports Club, Ruiru Sports Club, Karen Country Club, Royal Sports Club, Golf Park, Kericho Sports Club, Vetlab Sports Club, Sigona Sports Club.

Others were from Muthaiga Golf Club, Kenya Railway Golf Club, Thika Sports Club, Eldoret Sports Club and Nyeri Club.

Stanbic Bank, The Woman, Goodlife-Nanyuki, Falcon Heights-Nanyuki, Paper Gal Riders and Aga Khan Hospital-Nanyuki sponsored the Nanyuki tournament.

With Lerruat Log Cabin, Giant Millers, The Novel Golf Shop and Dr Susan Ngure sponsoring the Mt Kenya Circuit Overall prize.

Handicap 1, Nyanchama, the 2022 Nanyuki Open winner shot rounds of 83 in Nyahururu with an identical 78 at both Nyeri and Nanyuki legs. To close with 239 to deny Chumo, the Eldoret Club Chairman, also on 239 with a fine final round 77on a better countback score.

Most golfers had difficult rounds courtesy of the numerous out-of-bounds and worsened by the tough playing fairways. But the trio of Nyanchama, Chumo and Margaret Njoki of Golf Park were first off the deck and were not bothered as they brought in 78, 77 and 82.

Chumo and Njoki were the Division A Gross winner and Gross winner second.

"It feels back to reclaim this title from Njoki, the 2023 winner, but I'm happier to win the Mount Kenya Circuit overall prize," Nyanchama said in her acceptance speech.

In Division B, Regina Mumero was the Gross winner followed by the Gross winner second Winnie Njoki with 110 Gross points.

Syonzi Mutua was the nett winner in Division with 86 nett followed by Hannah Wavinya with 108 nett. Kavithe Kabugi took the Junior prize with 90 nett.

Muthaiga Golf Club's Mary Wainaina aced the Nyeri Club's par-three ninth hole for her maiden hole-in-one in her 12 years of playing golf as two twos were registered on Sunday in Nanyuki by Felister Mutinder and Margaret Njoki both winning 12 golf balls each.