Chairman Paul Munyao prize golf tournament: Mutahi leads, others follow

Overall winner Jackline Mutahi follows her swing at Mombasa Golf Club on Saturday. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

For Jackline Mutahi, her weekend was was meant to be normal. Nothing out of the ordinary.

As usual, she'd planned to have a round of golf with her friends, as she normally does.

But in the evening, the day was like no other. She floored other golfers to bag the overall title of the Chairman Paul Munyao prize golf tournament at the par 71 Mombasa Golf Club course.

The handicap 33 home golfer Mutahi braved all odds including the strong winds blowing from the nearby Indian Ocean to record an excellent 40 stableford points.

"The course was challenging due to the strong winds, but my shots and putts were on point. My game is now almost where it ought to be after a long struggle and I feel very excited," said Mutahi.

The daylong 18-hole tournament, which was held to mark the club's Chairman Paul Munyao' two-year tenure in office, attracted an oversubscribed 160 players at the nine-hole course.

Ken Kimundi, playing off handicap 24, brought 39 countback points to emerge the men's winner, beating the left handed handicap 21 Elijah Ibua to the runner-up slot on same score. Handicap 15 Justine Ongere was third with 38 points.

Handicap 19 Monica Kamundi scooped the ladies' prize on 38 points, while handicap 19 Orpha Wamatha claimed the runner-up slot on 36 countback points, tying on the same score with third-placed handicap 19 Wanjiku Kinyeru.

Handicap 21 Ken Mwangi, on 36 points, was the best past chairman winner as handicap 24 Anthony Rob, on 34 points, was the best senior winner. Handicap 27 Paul Mwaura, with 32 points, was the best sponsor winner.

Fidelis Odumo, playing off handicap 35, won the best high handicapper's prize on 40 points, while Malindi's handicap 23 Joshua Matei was the best guest winner after recording the day's best score of 45 points.

School boy Mwai Mariga, playing off handicap 19, was the best junior on 35 points.

The host Paul Muanyo said he was delighted to see a large number of players and great support from several companies who made the day's tournament a success.

"The numbers of members, tournaments and corporate support has increased tremendously during my tenure and I thank you all for making this possible," said Munyao.

Munyao also pointed out that through members, the club has also developed a five-year strategic plan that will take it to the next level.