Wachira claims BG Ndegwa Memorial meet prize in style

Anthony Githinji in action during BG Ndegwa Memorial Tournament at Nyeri Club, November 7, 2020. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Record breaking field of 136 golfers participate at the par-72 nine-hole course

Swing adjustment tip from playing mate presents Handicap 12, with deserved win at Nyeri course as huge field graces two-day meet.

Nanyuki Sports Club’s David Wachira emerged the Overall winner of the second edition of BG Ndegwa Invitational Golf Tournament played at Nyeri Club over the weekend.

The meet saw a record breaking field of 136 golfers participate at the par-72 nine-hole course during the tournament.

Presenting the meet were; BG Ndegwa Family, Semiconductor Technologies Limited, Paleo Hotel & Spa–Thika, Craigs Sports International and RiverCross Tracking Limited.

Wachira played off handicap 12 set-off with a par on the first, a par-four. Went on to make his sole birdie of the day on the second, a par-three which also earned him 30 golf balls for the two-club.

He bogeyed the third, a par-five and dropped shots on the par-four fourth a stroke index-one before picking successive bogeys on the par-four fifth and sixth a par-five.

He bounced back with a par on the seventh, dropping a shot on the par-four eight before winding up his first nine with a par on the ninth for a total of 20 stableford points.

Wachira remembered Mwangi Gathu’s advice from the previous day when they played together, to slow down on his swing which paid off after the turn.

He then sank three back-to-back pars on the 10th, a par-four, par-three 11th and par-five 12th holes.

From there, it was a see-saw of par-bogey scores as he scored a  bogey on the par-four 13th, a par on the 14th, bogeyed the par-five 15th and parred the 16th. He bogeyed the par-four 17th before closing his round of 18 with a par on the 18th for an additional 20 stableford points for a commanding round total of 40 stableford points to shine in the two-day meet.

Wachira was all smiles as he won himself a brand new Titleist TS1 driver worth Sh50, 000.

“After yesterday’s (Friday) curtain raiser clubnite, where I played alongside Mwangi Gathu, who picked out some challenges with my swing. He told me that I needed to slow it down. I tried to do that on the first few holes and realised it was working,” Wachira said.

“And since I didn’t have a caddy I had to try as much to stay on the fairway and yes it paid off with a deserved win. I’m more than happy,” Wachira added.

Hot on Wachira’s heels was handicap 26, Jacob Nyaga, a point shy off Wachira at 39 (18+21) stableford points to claim Men winner prize. Charles Murimi with a score of 36 stableford points finished third.

Best Lady golfer of the day was handicap 31 Pauline Miriga, who returned a score of 35(21+14) stableford points.

Taking the Guest Men winner prize was C Ahamo on a score of 38(18+20) stableford points with Guest Lady winner prize going to handicap 5 Mercy Nyanchama on a score of 36(16+20) stableford points.

Sponsors’ prize went to handicap 17, M Muindi with 36(16+20) stableford points with Father Felix and J Rienye settling for Sponsor Men and Sponsor Lady winner second respectively.

Junior winner prize went to Henry Kungu playing off handicap 29 on a score of 23(14+9) stableford points.

Meanwhile Golf Park Golf Club played host to Matu & Jeremy Golf Tournament as a curtain raiser event for the club’s captaincy elections slated for tomorrow.

The duo of Jeremy Muguongo and Robert Matu are the front runners in a high stakes election for club captaincy against the equally formidable duo of Eric Karuga and Ken Lucas.

Matu and Jeremy are staking their candidature on a vision to make Golf Park a course where members don't have to go game hunting in other golf clubs while their mission is to propel Golf Park Golf Club into a world class course.

Further the duo is advancing four pillars; to have 12 fully sponsored tournaments annually in addition to fully sponsored monthly mugs.

Equally they would like to see the participation of Golf Park Golf Club in the Nairobi District Leagues as well as fully sponsored Friday Casino.

In their second pillar; the two seek to have presentations of quarterly financial reports as well as annual financial audits.

While in their third pillar; they would like to embark on a major recruitment drive for the Ladies section and support the Ladies league and medals.

And finally; production of Loyalty cards for its members. Family fun days, kids golf clinics to tap nature and develop young golfing talents.

While priding themselves with increasing resident pro’s prize money to Sh1,000,000 and Caddies kitty to Sh300,000.