Gatuhi savours sweet victory at Thika Club

Vincent Karumba lines his putt during the 11th edition of Next Gen Golf tournament at Thika Sports Club. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Rookie Michael Gatuhi triumphed during the 11th edition of Next Gen Golf tournament at the par-72 Thika Sports Club course over the weekend.

Gatuhi, playing off handicap 27, was all smiles as his three weeks of practice paid off with the win during the meet presented by SBM Bank, Edmax Coffee, Johnnie Walker, Spur Steak Ranches, Kenya Originals, Marina.

Others sponsors were Bluewater Wells,Taso, Atlas Associates and Summit Dentals.

“I’ve been practicing quite hard for the past three weeks with a focus on improving my game and shedding my current handicap to a decent one. Deep down I know I deserve better,” said Gatuhi on his resolve to improve.

His target handicap is to play off 18 soon. Gatuhi returned to the clubhouse with a total of 41 stableford points made up of 21 stableford points from his front nine and an additional 20 from his back nine.

His exploits saw him triumph over a field of 240 golfers who participated in the tournament.

“We’ve grown from the small group of new golfers trying to find their foothold among older golfers to a strong and formidable group that we are today. Now we are the current generation,” said Vincent Karumba, who is the chairman of the group.

Coming in second place was SN Kinyanjui, who carded 40 (23+17) stableford points to take the Men winner prize ahead of Men winner second Gathuri Wanjau, who had a score of 39 (23+16) stableford points.

Donning the Ladies gong was handicap 28 Margaret Kariuki, who returned a score of 39 (20+19) stableford points thus denying handicap 36 Njeri Mureithi the honours on a score of 37 (18+19) stableford points.

In the sponsors category, leading the men sponsors was Justus Mathenge, playing off handicap 18. He had a score of 34 (15+19) stableford points, while handicap 40 Cynthia Makena was the Lady sponsor winner with 37(22+15) stableford points.

Steve Kiano, on a score of 21 stableford points, was the Sponsor Piga mingi prize winner.

Best among the visiting golfers was handicap 18, P Mwangi, who carded a score of 39 (18+21) stableford points. Teresa Muchiri emerged as the Supplementary winner on a score of 41 (22+19) stableford points.

In the Nines, First nine prize went to Salome Gakera, who had a score of 24 stableford points, while Stephen Kogi won Second nine prize with 20 stableford points.

Leading the juniors was handicap Rajpat Rayat, playing off handicap 30, on a score of 26 (17+9) stableford points.

Longest drive contest saw Nate Nguithi and Njeri Mureithi win men and lady prizes respectively as Francis Wahome clinched Nearest to Pin prize. SW Irungu took home Piga mingi prize with a score of 21 stableford points.

A total of 13 twos were registered during the tournament.

At Nakuru Golf Club, Father Michael Chege shot a round total of 40 stableford points to lift the Medipoint Golf tournament overall title ahead of Men winner Dave Langat, who had 39 stableford points.

Central Rift Kenya Golf Union (KGU) representative Robert Obondy playing poff handicap 22, was Men winner in Division 2 on a score of 37 stableford points.

Handicap 25, Nancy Kimemia was Lady winner on a score of 33 stableford points followed by Lady winner second Nancy Steinmann who managed 32 stableford points.

Sponsor winner prize went to a handicap 18, Duncan Mwaniki with 34 stableford points as Joseph Mwai came in second on a score of 32 stableford points.

Handicap Kirti Morjaria was the swiftest among Senior golfers returning a score of 36 stableford points as Kenneth Muraya emerged as Junior winner on a score of 31 stableford points.

Guest winner prize went to Isaac Wangethi playing off handicap 28 upon carding a score of 37 stableford points.

Francis Wanjohi took the First nine prize with 22 stableford points as veteran golfer SK Njoroge won Second nine prize with 21 stableford points.

In the Longest Drive contest, Luther Kamau claimed the honors in mens division with Eleanor Wambui winning in the ladies division.

Former Lady Captain Susan Gichuki won Nearest To the Pin Lady winner prize while Nearest to the Pin Men prize was won by Joseph Munene.