Catholic priest Kinuthia shows the way at Ruiru course

Clergyman James Kinuthia won the overall title of Ruiru Captain (Peter Mwaura) 2020 prize played at the weekend.

Kinuthia, who is a Catholic priest and playing off handicap 26, fired a round total of 42 stableford points to emerge tops at the par 72 course.

He achieved the feat while playing to his home course advantage, despite the course playing long and difficult.

Kinuthia had a great showing to prevail over the huge field of 261 golfers who participated in the day-long tournament.

The event was presented by Kenya Commercial Bank and co-sponsored by Oxygene Marketing and Communication LTD, Isuzu, TEK and Occidental Insurance.

Kinuthia had a balanced outing that saw him play a birdieless round with four pars that he picked from the par-four first, par-five ninth and two more pars from the back nine on the par-five 10th and par-three 15th holes.

On the outward nine, Kinuthia realised his bogeys from the par-three sixth, par-four seventh and par-four eighth.

He carded six more bogeys on the par-three 11th, par-four 12th, par-three 13th, par-five 14th, par-five 16th and the homestretch 18th, a par- five.

His sole No-Return was at the 17th hole, a par-four, which enabled him head back to the club house with 20 stableford points from the front nine and an additional 22 stableford points for a commendable score of 42 stableford points.

"I thank God it has finally come to be after years of waiting. There is nothing more like satisfying for me than winning the Captain's prize," said Kinuthia

This was the second Captain Prize hosted by Peter Mwaura, who has been at the helm of Ruiru Sports Clubs’ captaincy for two successive one-year terms.

His highest achievement was the initiation and construction of the course irrigation project whose launch was presided over by Kenya Golf Union chairman Anthony Murage at the end of last month.

"The excellent turnout and great performance across categories goes to show there is space for quality golf tournaments in Kenya," Mwaura said of the event.