Weekend clubs round up: It’s a tight race at Sigona

DENNIS SAIKWA; Dennis Saikwa makes a swing.[Maarufu Mohamed,Standard]

 

Amateurs vying for top honours get the 2018 season underway as Chege claims the Mug title in Ruiru.

Players vying for top honours in the 2018 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) were in top shape as the Sigona Bowl tournament got the series underway at the par-72 Sigona Golf Course at the weekend.

Royal Nairobi Club's Dennis Saikwa and John Karichu of Limuru shared a round one lead with one over par 73 gross each.

Sigona’s Deep Shah, Royal’s Jay Sandhu and Muthaiga’s Anthony Irungu shared the second slot on two over par 74 gross each.

Among the Day One top 10 leaders were KAGC defending champion Edwin Mundanyi and Robinson Owiti of Vet Lab, Limuru’s John Kariuki and Muthaiga’s John Karanja.

The event, which ended yesterday afternoon, is the first in the 20 series organised by the Kenya Golf Union (KGU).

According to the KGU calendar of events, the next series will be the Mt Kenya Championships in Nyeri County on February 3-4 and the Muthaiga Open on February 17-18.

At the par-72 Ruiru course, handicap 21 Michael Chege posted 69 nett to emerge the Men's winner of the 2018 January Mug, while handicap 22 John Mwango was the runner-up on 70 nett.

Handicap 34 Sophie Njuguna was the Lady winner on 72 nett as handicap 34 Catherine Wambui finished second on 73 nett.

Handicap 26 Emmanuel Loglo, on 72 nett, won the Guest prize.

Meanwhile, Khush Thakkar, playing off handicap 24, defeated Rakesh Lakhani 3 and 1 to win the 71st Sungura Cup 2018 match-play championships final at Vet Lab Sports Club at the weekend.

Rakesh was one up at the turn before a rejuvenated Khush parred six holes back-to-back from the 11th. He then sunk a 25-foot birdie putt, setting himself up for the deserved win.

Earlier, Khush defeated Munir Virani 4 and 2 in the semi-finals, while Rakesh beat George Mbaria 2 up to qualify for the final.

The Sungura Cup is open to any amateur golfer playing on handicap 16 to 28 and is sponsored by golfer Oliver Mbatia.

“On the front nine, I felt intimidated playing against the person who introduced me to golf. The nervousness messed my game," said Thakkar.

“By the turn, I felt easy around him and my short game somehow bounced back. My tee-shots were finding the fairways well."