Golf: Henry Owuor awes Thika as Ndunda rules Machakos

Duncan Maina tees of on the par-four eighth, during the Connected future golf day at par 72 Thika sports club in Muranga county, August 11, 2018. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Focused and with a set target, Henry Owuor matched on to claim the Connected future golf day top honors at the daylong tourney played at par 72 Thika sports club over the weekend.

Owuor, playing off handicap 23, prevailed after a great golf outing that saw him return to the clubhouse with a neat score of 41 stableford points during the tournament presented by Crossgate solutions and partners.

With clear skies hovering over him, Owuor set out with specific holes to deal with, which included the par-four sixth, where he managed a par, on the par-four sixth he got a bogey, got a par on the next two hole but dropped a shot on the par-four ninth to close his round with 19 stableford points.

On the back nine, Owuor gathered more steam, bagging back-to-back pars from the par-five tenth, on the long par-four twelfth, while on the stroke index one seventeenth long par-four he picked a par.

And on the newly redesigned eighteenth par-four, he drove his tee-shot slightly past the two-hundred-yard marker, laid it up with his pitching wedge next to the left water hazard.

Chipped it on for three before draining a fourteen-foot putt which saw him clinch vital three points for a total of twenty-two stableford points with a round total of forty-one stableford points.

“It felt really good about where my game is, my intention today as I set out for my round was that, I had to deal with eight specific holes that have been my water-loo every time I play on this course,” said Owuor

“My big question as I laid out my game plan in my mind was basically that, a question, why do this specific holes give me a challenge?” I wondered.

“I singled them out, one by one, visualizing the challenges they always present and what I needed to do differently, alas it worked” added Owuor

Dr A Karanja playing off handicap 25, came in second on a similar score of 41 (21+20) stableford points as handicap 25, Mariah Muthee donned the Ladies gong on a score of 39 (17+22) stableford points.

Away at the par 72 Machakos sports club, handicap four, James Ndunda was crowned king of the course Chairman (Collins Kaloki) dubbed "King of the course" overall winner after returning a whopping 43 stableford points over the weekend.

Hot on Ndunda’s heels was handicap eight Francis Njeru taking Member second prize with 39 stableford points as Catherine Wambui playing off handicap 29 won the Lady winners prize with 41 stableford points.

Machakos sports club chairman Sawarn Singh, playing off handicap 14 was the Best sponsor prize winner with 37 stableford points during the tournament that was presented by KassMart and graced by seventy-seven golfers.

Other scores at a glance;

Sigona Golf Club – Kates apartments golf day;
Overall winner; R Langat (06) 40 pts.
Overall second; Harkani Akshay (15) 40 pts.
Overall third; Ali Aadil (22) 39 pts.

Muthaiga Golf Club – Friday casino;
Overal winner; Mburu Kimani 74-07=67 nett
Overall second; W Mwangi 82-10=70 nett.
Overall third; Alex Gitari 85-12=73 nett.

Ruiru Sports Club – August monthly mug;
Overall winner; Johnson Waweru 89-25=64 nett
Overall second; Duncan Maina 93-27=66 nett
Overall third;  Dominic Chege 90-23=67 nett.

Nanyuki Sports Club – Clubnite;
Overall winner; Mark Karimi (10) 39 pts.
Overall second; Fr Martin (16) 38 pts.
Overall third; Dr Ben Muthiora (19) 38 pts.

Eldoret Golf Club – DT DOBIE;
Overall winner; Linda Kangongo (31) 41 pts.
Overall second; Mathew Koech (18) 39 pts.

Overall third; Phillip Shiharsy (02) 38 pts.

Kiambu golf club – Governor Waititu golf day;
Overall winner; J Mutuota 100-31=69 nett.
Overall second; David Ndirangu 79-10=69 nett.
Overall third;  Dr Murumba 82-12=70 nett.

Karen golf & country club – August Mug;
Overall winner; Michael Kingori 80-08=72 nett.
Overall second; Jimmy Kimondo 82-10=72 nett.
Overall third;  Fred Lobo 80-07=73 nett.

Railways golf club – Captain’s kitty;
Overall winner; Sammy Gichomo (22) 41 pts.
Overall second; F Kungu (19) 39 pts.
Overall third;  S Njoroge (-01) 38 pts.

Leisure Lodge golf club – LSK Presidents golf;
Overall winner; Spencer Chaplain (22) 36 pts.
Overall second; L Wambua (07) 35 pts.
Overall third;  K Kiburi (15) 34 pts

Njoro country club – Clubnite;
Overall winner; J Mokaya (13) 37 pts.
Overall second; Fr Mwaura (18) 35 pts.
Overall third;  S K Njoroge (11) 35 pts.

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