Kipkurui bags KCB East Africa Golf Tour title

Mathew Maiyo during the KCB East Africa Golf Tour. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

A total of 202 golfers took the Nakuru Golf Club course in search of slots to the final of the ninth leg KCB East Africa Golf Tour over the weekend.

A 30-member contingent from Kericho Golf Club led the title onslaught. In the end, Collins Kipkurui emerged triumphant.

Playing off handicap 10, Kipkurui had an amazing outing despite a staggering start that raked in 21 Stableford points from his nine.

Kipkurui's closing round was better as he added a single point for 22 Stableford points to wrap it up with 43 Stableford points to win.

Teeing off in the last flight after serving as the day's starter, Kipkurui enjoyed a pressure-free round, unlike the earlier players who had to contend with the holdups occasioned by the oversubscribed draw.

Finishing second was John Muriithi, who fell short of Kipkurui's score by three points to close with 40 Stableford points.

Muriithi shot rounds of 19 and 21 Stableford points to be declared the overall winner second.

In the team event, the squad comprised of Godwin Karuga, M S Malik, Nicholas Karoki and Geoffrey Wafula returned a combined score of 100 Stableford points to be crowned the overall team winners.

The team of club Vice-chairman Titus Lusaka, Mathew Maiyo, Mandeep Sahota and Amardeep Jajuha returned a combined score of 95 Stableford points to settle for the second-best team.

The two teams will join eight teams from the other legs which have already qualified for the grand finale set for November this year at the Karen Country Club in Nairobi.

Speaking after the prize-giving, Godwin Kiragu said: “I had a very amazing four-ball. We did not know each other going into the first tee but teamwork, coordination and hard work gave us the victory today. We will now continue practising for the grand finale since we have time.”

Felistah Njeri playing off handicap 20 was the Lady winner after garnering 33 Stableford points.

Handicap 9, Tony Tugee clinched the guest winner award carding 36 Stableford points while

Western Regional Business Manager Eliud Siganga who plays off handicap 26 was the Staff winner on a score of 37 Stableford points. Ibrahim Lande playing off handicap 14 came in second with 34 Stableford points.

Jastej Sehmi playing off handicap 22 was rewarded as the best junior golfer of the day.

Collins Kipkurui received the longest drive award in the men's category while Linda Munyao claimed it in the ladies’ category.