Golf: Mixed bag of birdie, pars, bogeys and double-bogeys earns Kinoti win in Nyeri

Nyeri Golf Clubs' chairman Arthur Muchiri in action at the par 72 course, June 22, 2019. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Seasoned golfer Engineer Joshua Kimoti is the winner of the Friends of the Chairman (Arthur Muchiri) golf tournament played at the par 72, Nyeri Golf Club over the weekend.

Kinoti, donning his signature pilot pants, a member of Kenya Railways Golf Club and playing off handicap 17, posted 42 stableford points, made up of an identical score of 21 stableford points from both nines.

Kinoti, who has strutted the fairways for the past 25 years, relied on his experience icing it with the mint course conditions to prevail over a field of 53 golfers at the tournament staged to usher in new chairman Arthur Muchiri’s.

Kinoti sunk a single birdie on the par-4 seventh hole, picking two pars from the outward nine, which he sunk on the par-4 first and on the course's signature hole “Kerio Valley”, a par-5 sixth. He tapped in bogeys, on the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 8th and par-3 9th. He also double-bogeyed the par- 5 third to close at 6-over par.

On the inward nine, he picked four more pars from the par-4 10th, par-5 12th, par-5 15th and the par-4 17th.  Bogeyed the 11th, 13th, 14th, 16th and the par-3 18th for a back-nine total of 5-over.

“The course is in great shape,” Kinoti said. “My short game today was awesome. Off the deck, I was normal. The green-keeper did a superb job on the fairways’ allowing me to execute good shots and chip well. Equally, the greens were great, save for number seven which was a bit uneven.”

“I'm honoured to have won the first tournament under Muchiri’s chairmanship. He’s a good gentleman, I wish him all the best as he takes up the leadership of Nyeri Club,” Kinoti added.

Mercy Mburu, playing off handicap 18 was the Lady winner on a score of 33 (21+17) stableford points with Winnie Waiganjo 33(15+18) stableford and Jennifer Kariuki 33(18+15) stableford points taking Lady second and third winners respectively.

Men winner prize went to the days’ sponsor and club chairman Arthur Muchiri on a score of 38(21+17) stableford denying Kimani Bow the position on 38(22+16) stableford points by a point. The Men second prize went to senior golfer and also Men third winner John Nderi on 37(17+20) stableford points.

Nyeri Clubs’ vice-captain John Mungai claimed Men winner fourth prize on 36(18+18) stableford points beating Bishop Kamere on count-back to Men fifth prize winner a similar score of 36(18+18) stableford points.

Taking the First and Second nines respectively were, Arthur Kamau with 20 stableford points and Paul Maingi on 20 stableford points.

In the commercials, Nanyuki Sports Clubs’ Steve Nduguta won longest drive men prize with Stella Mwangi taking Longest drive ladies prize. Captain George Kiguta won Nearest to Pin prize. Five twos were registered in the tournament by Charles Mwaniki, George Kiguta Dr Susan Ngure and G Gathitu with each of them receiving seven golf balls.

Away at Karen Country Club, William Mugwima, playing off handicap 18, emerged the overall winner of the Crown Paints Golf Day on a commanding score of 45 stableford points at the tough playing course. Kahuria of Muthaiga Golf Club came in second on 39 stableford points as Vetlabs’ David Situma settled for third place on a score of 39 stableford points.