Kisia soars at Mt Kenya championship

Kisia soars at the Mt Kenya championship in Nyeri. Railway golf clubs' Alfred Nandwa in action during the two day 36-hole Mt Kenya golf challenge played at Nyeri golf club, February 4 and 5, 2017, Mike Kisia of Vetlab golf club played level (73+71=144 Net) to triumph. PHOTO: MOSE SAMMY/STANDARD

Vetlab golf club’s Mike Kisia shot level par to claim the Mt Kenya Golf Challenge, after closing the 36-hole round on (73) 1-over and (71) 1-under for a tally of 144 gross to triumph over an incredibly big field of amateurs from across the country.

Kisia was trailing the 36-hole duels’ overnight leader Alfred Nandwa from Railways golf club by two shots at the beginning of the second day at par 72 Nyeri golf club over the weekend.

Nandwa shot (71) 1-under on the first day but fumbled with his game on the second day carding (75) 3-over in the tourneys’ second last duel of the day up against Ken Bollo of Royal and Limuru country clubs’ Paul Muchangi.

Nandwa badly sought two birdies to edge out Kisia but bad luck kept him company as his birdie putt on the 17th par-4 lipped out for par and on 18th par-3 his birdie putt strayed 30 inches wide setting him up for par. This waned his hopes of setting up a play-off against Kisia.

“As I teed off the 17th I knew about Kisia’s score which occasioned the need for me to seek the two vital birdies that would have forced a play-off but fate had its way, and I live to fight another day,” said Nandwa.

Kisia’s win was the best he could wish for. “I missed out on the year opener 54-holes Sigona bowl last month as I arrived late from Tanzania and I was time barred. But I’m happy with the turn of events and the win makes me feel ecstatic and vindicated. I can’t ask for more.”

John Karichu aka Kenya-One shot (78) 6-overs and (75) 3-overs for 153 Gross blaming his poor putting for his bad performance.

Amateurs blamed their dismal performances on the tight tee box settings that didn’t give them clear shots onto the fairways, singling out hole numbers 2 par-3 and 15th par-5 which has trees right in the middle of their shot path.

The greens were holding more compared to last year and they appealed to Kenya golf union to in future to set-up tournament committees to address such issues since this was a championship and shouldn’t be treated like other tournaments.

Amateurs now set their sight on the Muthaiga Open slated for the 18th & 19th February 2017 before moving on to Windsor classic on the 11th & 12 March 2017 at a new venue that is yet to be announced.

These tournaments are a prelude to the Kenya Open in which Sujan Shah of Sigonab, Alfred Nandwa (Railways), Kevi Bollo (Royal Nairobi), Agil is Hag (Nyali golf club), Jeff Kubwa (Muthaiga)and John Karichu (Limuru) will fly the Kenyan flag.

Vetlab’s team trio of Mike Kisia (73+71=144 Gross), Robinson Owiti (76+70=147 Gross) and Edwin Mudanya (76+77=154 Gross) saw them snatch the accumulative team points from Royal Nairobi trio of Ken Bollo (71+78=149 Gross), Kevin Juma (75+82=157 Gross) and David Saikwa (74+75=149 Gross)

Other results;

1. Gross winner - Mike Kisia (73+71=144 Gross)

2. Gross runner-up - Samuel Njoroge (71+72=143 Gross)

3. Gross 2nd runner-up – Robinson Owiti (76+70=146 Gross)

4. Net winner – Stephen Kiaro (71+72=143 Net)

5. Net runner-up - Peter Rimui (73+71=144 Net)

6. Net second-runner-up - Reuben Langat (74+72=146 Net)