Golf: After four years of futile attempts, Coast medical practitioner Habala gets act right on way to victory
Golf
By
Maarufu Mohamed
| Oct 23, 2017
After four years of futile attempts, Coast medical practitioner gets act right on way to victory.
Coast medical practitioner Allan Habala played like a true host as amateurs battled for honours in the 2017 Diani Beach Masters at the par 72 Leisure lodge golf Resort course in Mombasa at the weekend.
Playing off handicap 10, Habala posted a round total of 69 points to emerge the overall winner in the amateur category.
He played 33 points in the first round on Friday before adding 38 points on the final day on Saturday.
“This sweet victory. I have been trying to win in in the last four years without much success. I now focus on defending the title next year,” said Habala.
His clubmate handicap 19 Arty Round Turner was second on 69 points (33-36), same as handicap 04 club captain Mitesh Kumar, who was third.
Day One leader handicap 05 Eaton Angel from Tanzania, who is also the current East African Lady Champion, was fourth with a total of 68 points ( 35-33).
And in the professionals catergory, Thika’s Simon Ngige won the overall title with a round total of 293 gross (69-72-74-78) to claim the Sh110, 00o prize money. The prize kitty for the professional golfers was Sh1m, courtesy of Prime Bank, the tournament sponsors.
Dismas Indiza of Mumias was second on 297 (71-76-72-78), while Muthaiga’s Greg Snow, on 299 gross (69-75-77-78), tied in third, same total gross with Muthaiga’s Kopan Timbe.
The Kenyan pofessionals are now eying the forthcoming 2017 Tanzanian Open Championship scheduled for November 10 to 13 at the Arusha’s Kili Golf Club in Tanzania
Meanwhile, handicap 15 Joseph Ngure, on 42 Stableford points, won the Jamii Telecommunications tournament at Nakuru on Saturday.
Handicap 21 Sagoo Sarabjit, on 41 points, was the first runner-up and handicap 12 Peter Kariuki, on 39 points, was the Man winner.
Margaret Cheptumo, playing off handicap 23, won the Lady title on 38 points, while handicap 14 K.Mambo, on 35 points, was the guest winner. Handicap 25 Gladys Koinange, on 33 points, was the Junior winner.