Karanja stuns at Railways

Wahome Muchiri in action at the Kenya Railways Golf Club, March 9, 2019. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

A recent equipment switch spurred Stanley Karanja to victory during the Paragon Golf Day at the tough playing par 72 Kenya Railways Golf Club over the weekend.

Stanley, triumphed over a field of 105 golfers who participated in the daylong tournament presented by Paragon Property Valuers & Consultants.

Playing off handicap 14, Stan the immediate past club captain shot a round total of 38 stableford points to claim the overall title during the tournament played under hot weather conditions.

On the outward nine, he blanked the opening par five first hole after dropping two strokes in the protective bunker. Before picking a birdie on the second, a par on the third and blanked the fourth.

He bogeyed the fifth and sixth holes before sinking back to back pars on the last three holes for an opening front nine total of 17 stableford points.

On the turn, he scratched the 10th hole, parred the 11th, and bogeyed the 12th before tapping in a two feet long putt on the 13th for birdie.

Went on to bogey the 14th and 15th holes before sinking a long breaking putt on the 16th for par.

Birdied the 17th parred the 18th before closing his inward nine with a bogey for an additional 21 stableford points.

“Been struggling with my previous kit, a Titleist AP1 set but I recently switched to a newer version, the Titleist AP2 set with a new M4 driver. They are working wonders for my game I am getting my groove back. I was worried that my handicap would go up to 16 if this didn’t show up. Happy it has instead dropped to 13,” said Stan after his win.

“I played alongside a competitive four-ball made up of Sam Connor – eventual Men second winner, Walter Onyino and current Captain George Kiai. I had to keep up with their pace and game. In the process, I gave today’s round my A game and it paid off with a win,” added Stanley.

Nathan Njuguna playing off handicap 12 emerged Men winner on a score of 36 stableford points beating handicap 14 Sam Connor on countback on similar score of 36 stableford points to men winner second. As top amateur Samuel Njoroge playing off handicap +2 came in third with 35 stableford points.

Donning the Ladies gong was long hitting Mildred Malubi also the longest drive Lady winner, playing off handicap 22 who posted a score of 32 stableford points as handicap 21 Joyce Ndegwa came in second with 28 stableford points.

First Nine prize went to Dr John Kibosia with 20 Stableford points while the Second Nine prize was claimed by George Kirathe with 20 stableford points.

Nakuru Golf Club’s Mose Sammy took the Guest prize with 33 stableford points with handicap 19 Moses Karano of Limuru Golf & Country Club taking Guest winner second prize on a score of 31 stableford points.