Wambua ends 3-year dry spell in style

Tim Kiburi in action during the 2019 King of the Course golf tournament played at Machakos Sports Club, January 5, 2018. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Single handicapper Larry Wambua is the 2019 Machakos Sports Club King of the Course overall winner. 

Playing off handicap eight, Wambua returned an enviable score of 39 stableford points  at the par 72 course to claim the top honours ahead of 142 golfers drawn from East and Central Africa.

The event was presented by Insurance Company of East Africa ICEA Lion Group and Gelian Hotel.

Among those who graced the event included Malawi Golf Union chairman, Hudson Kantwanje, President of Malawi Professional Golfers Association Physcal Patridge, and Justice Ken Manda, Judge of the Malawi High Court.

They were hosted by Kenya Golf Union Chairman, Lucas Maranga who was accompanied by Douglas Ratemo, Director Kenya Academy of Sports and Justice Phillip Waki among others.

Wambua, who is also the Nairobi County government minister for Environment and Water scored 18 stableford points, four over gross from the opening nine. He went on to play a better back nine from where he shot one over gross for an additional 21 stableford points to triumph.

Playing to home course advantage, Wambua also attributed his win to the great shape the course was in. 

“I have had a three year dry-spell for a win on this course. As I set out today for my round, I was out to participate in the today’s game nothing serious. I knew it was just the usual, enjoying my round of golf with No win in mind,” said Wambua

Wambua beat Machakos Club chairman Sawarn Singh with a score of 39 (21+18) stableford points on countback to Member winner as Dominic Kikuyu settled for Member winner second on a score of 38 (18+20) points.

In the ladies’ category; Pauline Kamuti playing off handicap 35 donned the ladies’ gong on a score of 36 (19+17) stableford points as the Club’s Lady captain Jennifer Ngure came in second with 35 (17+14) stableford points.

In the pro category, Mumias-based Dismas Indiza and Golf Park’s David Wakhu tied at 2-under 70 to claim the Pro prize.

Golf Park’s Tony Omuli came in third with 73 gross as resident Pro Kiondo who played 76 gross.

During the presentation dinner, Malawi Golf Union Chairman Hudson Kantwanje said: “We are happy with our experience here in Machakos and earlier in Limuru Country & Golf Club. We have entered into a reciprocation agreement between Machakos Sports Club and Nyeri Golf Club.

“We are also looking forward to a similar agreement with Limuru Golf and Country Club with Lilongwe Golf Club.”

“Golf and by extension sports tourism, is a very viable but untapped economic frontier that we would like to get into a partnership in with the Kenya Golf Union,” Katwanje said.

 Kenya Sports Academy director Douglas Ratemo presented a certificate of incorporation to Machakos Golf Club recognising it as a certified Junior Golf Academy and partner and an accredited center affiliated to the Kenya Academy of Sports that can offer sports related training.