Muturi delivers surprise victory in Nakuru meet

Home rookie Teresia Muturi pulled a surprise to win Chairman (Eng Steve Kihumba) 2021 prize on a sterling score of 42 stableford points over the weekend.

Playing off handicap 32, Muturi claimed the top prize to the amazement of other club golfers within the Ladies section who had written her off.

Focused and with a point to prove to her detractors, Muturi set out with a resolve to play better during the Chairman’s prize.

She knew things would turn out well after bogeying the opener, a 376-yards par-four which has always proved a hard nut to crack with countless scratches from several rounds.

She made two careless double-bogeys on the par-four, second and third holes, but thanks to her double stroking, Muturi picked 17 stableford points from her front nine during the tournament played under clear blue skies in the morning before light showers interrupted play in the afternoon.

A big field of 142 golfers from various clubs graced the meet that was presented by Crown Paints, Coca-Cola, Vivo Energy, Automobile Association of Kenya and Horizons Limited.

Others were Sahota Trucks, Macklocks Limited, MB Graphics, Sheth & Wathigo Advocates, Ustawi Limited and Friends of the Chairman.

After a deserved break, Muturi was spurred on by her good showing from the front nine, draining a fluke putt from 50-yards despite the tough pin position on the par-four 10th hole. She had two other unexpected hole outs on the par-four 12th and par-five 16th hole.

Despite making only three pars, all on her back nine from the round of 18, Muturi spiced up her score with 23 more stableford points to secure a commanding lead with 42 stableford points.

Muturi finished four points clear her closest competitor, Hussein Hassanali, who carded 38 stableford points to secure overall second position ahead of Paul Gitonga, with a score of 36 stableford points.

Torturous pin positions presented golfers with a tough day in office.