Mbua tames wind, nerves to win at Nyali as Gathumbi takes charge of action in Thika

Mombasa's Mark Mbua got a standing ovation from fellow golfers at the Nyali Golf Club when he sunk a birdie on the final par three-18th hole to win the overall 2017 Stanbic Bank club nite tournament over the weekend.

Playing off handicap 15, Mbua, who is also the Mombasa Golf Club captain, had 39 stableford points for victory and had earlier played birdie on the par five-fifth hole and added six level pars. He also played mixed bogey shots on the rest of both nines.

“I played an easy game today but got the birdies. This was not easy despite the course being in excellent shape, but it’s great,” said Mbua.

However, it was not easy sailing as Mbua was forced to win on a countback score after tying with Nyali’s handicap 25 Gurdeep Nayer, who was the runner-up.

The one-day 18-holes stableford event attracted 80 golfers and was sponsored by Stanbic. Nyali’s Eric Ngeera, playing off handicap 20, claimed the third slot on 37 points.

Lady winner

At the Kiambu course, handicap 10 Chris Kieu, on 43 points, won the Kenya Dairy Board event, while handicap 15 John Gitau was the runner-up. John Ngure, on 75 gross, was the men winner.

Handicap 26 Barbara Kinyanjui, on 33 points, was the lady winner, while handicap 24 G.N Njuguna, on 36 points, was the guest winner. Handicap 10 Anthony Mutugi, who had 38 points, was the staff winner.

In Thika, handicap 1 Joseph Gathumbi, who had 44 points, won the Syngenta tournament, while handicap 6 Paul Nduati, on 42 points, was the men winner.

Judy Waihenya, playing off handicap 20, was the lady winner on 39 points, while handicap 23 K. Kiarie, on 37 points, was the guest winner.

Handicap 15 Maina Ruo won the customer prize on 34 points.