OBONYO WINS IT AT NYALI:Golfer survives two-way countback to win title

Japheth Obonyo makes a swing. He was the overall winner of the CCK golf tournament in Nyali. [PHOTO: MAARUFU MOHAMED/STANDARD]

Mombasa golf club’s Japheth Obonyo stamped his authority at the par 71 Nyali golf and Country club course when he clinched the 2016 Communication Authority of Kenya (CCK) golf trophy at the weekend.

However, it was not an easy win for Obonyo, as the handicap 16 golfer survived a two-way countback score of 40 points, to emerge the overall winner.

“This is my biggest victory. In fact, I was surprised after three of us had the same score after the event. The game was tough, but at least, the course was playing well,” said Obonyo.

In both nines, Obonyo sank a rare birdie on the par three-15th hole, played six level pars, nine bogeys and double bogeyed in the other holes.

He tied on points with home club’s handicap 18 Peter Gathuri, who was the Men winner, while his clubmate Allan Dainty, playing off handicap 6, finished second.

Home club’s handicap 20 Charles Odoo, on a countback score of 37 points, was third, tying on points with clubmate handicap 7 Allan Mola, who finished fourth.

Nyali’s Joyce Masai, playing off handicap 13, was the Lady winner on 38 points, while clubmate Venessa Peris, playing off handicap 22, finished second with a two-point difference.

Handicap 8 Paul Wangui from Nyeri was the guest winner on 35 points, while handicap 30 Alyssa Jamal from Nyali, was the best junior on a countback score of 31 points. Jamal tied on points with handicap 26 Andrew Wahome.

Sigona’s handicap 36 Nancy Shiahale won the Staff prize (women) on 34 points, while handicap 28 John Omo had the day’s top score of 42 points to lift the men’s prize.