Njoroge wins inaugural Hino Kenya championship

By BEN AHENDA

KENYA: Stanley Njoroge registered  41 stableford points to emerge the overall winner during the last leg of the inaugural Hino Kenya Golf Championship at Nakuru Golf Club over the weekend.

Njoroge, who admitted starting his play poorly, teed 21 stableford points in the first nine and 20 in the back nine, for him to emerge the surprise winner.

“It came against my anticipation and it proved that God works mysteriously. But I have to thank my golfing quartet of Zack Njeru, Wanjohi Kangangi and Moses Kiragu for the good inspiration they gave me,” he said after receiving the top prize from chief guest Kangangi Wanjohi, who is the Hino Kenya Limited General Manager.

Njoro’s John Mokaya was the first prize winner with a score of 38 stable points relegating team mate Alfred Nandwa to runners-up position also on the same score.

Michael Karanja finished third with 37 stableford points.  The event was in Nakuru after touring Thika and Nyanza Golf Clubs. It will then move to Mombasa in February and Kericho in March.

Others clubs expected to host the event are Vet and Royal Golf Clubs in Nairobi and Eldoret Sports Club before the grand finale at Muthaiga Golf Club in September.

Grand final

The winners in each of the legs qualifies to play at the grand finale in Muthaiga Golf Club. The best eight amateur golfers from the grand finale will tour South Africa and play in one of the best golfing courses in October next year.

At the Nakuru Championships, Margaret Cheptumo was the lady winner with 37 points beating Florence Kamonjo by two points to the second spot. Luther Kamau was the gross winner with 34 gross.

Humphrey Kuria and Pancras Kuria won first and second nines at 22 points apiece.

Krishna Sarna won the junior title at 36 stableford points as Nancy Muhia scooped the nearest to the pin title. Kenneth Muraya won the hidden hole prize.

Four players won five golf balls each after tying on the two clubs’ title. They were Benjamin Koyier, Krishna Sarna, S.K. Njoroge and Pancras Kuria.

The event saw only one handicap change with Sammy Ndung’u moving from handicap 16 to 17.

Meanwhile, the annual Rift Valley Water Services Board golf championships is scheduled for January 14. Nakuru Golf Club captain Njuguna Njoka has confirmed.

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