Lady golfers brace for tight Ladies Coast Open Tourney
Golf
By
Maarufu Mohamed
| Aug 02, 2023
Kenyan lady golfers face stiff challenges against their foreign colleagues in the ongoing Ladies Coast open Golf competition being played across the Coast Golf clubs.
Limuru's Mwongeli Nzioka survived a narrow escape from Tanzanians onslaught after carding a six over par 78 gross to claim the overall gross title in A Division in the first leg of the tourney played at the Diani's Diamond Leisure Beach & Golf Resort course in South Coast of Mombasa, Kwale County on Monday.
The Tanzanians Neema Olomi and Vicky Elias missed the lead after both returned the same score of seven over par 79 gross each to place them runners up and third respectively on count back.
Going to the second leg at the par 71 Mombasa Sea-Link Course on Tuesday, the Kenyans lost bitterly to A Ugandan golfer Martha Babirye playing off handicap 0 emerged the overall gross winner after returning a count back score of an eight over par 79 gross to register her maiden victory after playing the tourney for over five years.
"Golf is a sporting event to enjoy and brings people together, but if you want to win just leave your work or family stress behind and just play and you will emerge victorious. Am so happy for the victory and I owe my success to all those who are supporting me here at the Coast and back at home," said Babirye.
Eldoret's Esther Chumo playing off handicap 3 lost the lead on Cunt back after tying with on the same score with Babirye and won the A Division.
Handicap 0 Joyce Wanjiru from Kiambo also had a count back score of 80 gross same as Golf Park's handicap 2 Margaret Njoki and were the runners and third respectively.
The Division A nett winner was handicap 14 Irene Brooker from Nandi Bears who carded 71 nett while handicap 16 Loveness Frank from Tanzania was the runners up on 72 nett and taking the third slot on 74 nett was handicap 16 Lydia Jebichii from Nandi.
Rehema Okal from Machakos golf club playing off handicap 24 emerged the division B gross winner with 90 gross.
Kenya Railway's handicap 21 Virginia Munyao came second after carding 96 gross while Vetlab's handicap 21 Nelius Kariuki closed with 97 gross to sit third.
The Division B nett winner on a count back score of 73 nett was handicap 25 Regina Mumero from Nyali, tying on the same score with second placed handicap 25 Petronilah kalee and taking home the third prize on 74 nett was Rose Mwarania from Vetlab playing off handicap 25.
Nyali's former Lady Captain Susan Stokes did not leave empty handed after receiving the Nearest to the pin prize from her longest shot that landed only 11 feet away from the 18th greens.
The 18 hole strokes play competition with 150 golfers from the Country and beyond was jointly sponsored by Tourism Fund, AAR Health care,DK Real Estates,Nu-Look,Sarova White sands,Plaza Beach,KCB, Kericho Gold, Atlas Tea Brokers and Friends of the Lady Captain.
Club Lady Captain Fiona Mbandi thanked all the sponsors and golfers for making the tourney successful and hoped that they will turn up in large numbers next year.
However, two Coast youthful Lady Golfers Jaqueline Walters and Tandia Haji all from Vipingo Baobab Ridge Golf Resort Club pulled out after both developed rib and back injuries respectively.
Walters was rushed to the nearest hospital on Monday after playing eight holes in the first leg of the tourney at Diamond Leisure Course while her colleague Haji turned up to be a spectator in the third leg at Nyali on Wednesday morning where the Ladies engaged on a daylong 36 holes.
The week long Ladies Coast Open tourney is organized under the umbrella of the Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) together with the KLGU Coast representative Teresia Odoo.
Club Lady Captain Mary Mariga said the Club was happy to host the tourney being played in the pristine course and assured the ladies will enjoy the facilities put in place with more fun and sterling prizes awaiting the winners.
On Thursday , the ladies takes a break and will move to Malindi Country Club on Friday where they will be hosted by the Club Lady Captain Hamida Chidagaya and Vipingo Golf Ridge in Kilifi County will be the host for the final leg on Saturday, 5th, August.