Muthaiga successfully defends Patrons Cup title

Jimmy Kibaki awards the Muthaiga Golf Club team after successfully defending the Patrons Cup tournament that was played in honour of the late president Mwai Kibaki. [Courtesy]

The second edition of the Kenya Golf Union (KGU)-Patrons Cup saw Muthaiga Golf Club retain the trophy on Sunday at their Par 71 home turf.

The tournament honours the late President Mwai Kibaki who was the Patron of Kgu and Muthaiga Golf Club for a long time.

“It is encouraging to have seen the teams and their supporters come through for an exciting tournament. We want to see more of the same in subsequent years,” said Muthaiga Club captain Bob Ngugi.

In the three-day Patrons Trophy that teed off on Friday, Muthaiga had a cumulative tally of 105.5. The foursomes round on Friday saw the home side pick 13.5 points and on Saturday morning they collected 20 points they garnered 27 points in the afternoon before ending the campaign with 45 points in the Sunday singles for a cumulative tally of 105.5.

VetLab Golf Club who had threatened to spoil the party for the hosts by stretching them all the way, finished second on a cumulative total of 93.5 points.

The team teed-off on a high pace, sending early warnings as they posted 25.5 points in the Friday afternoon foursomes, on Saturday morning they only managed five points in the Four Ball Better Ball, then in the afternoon foursomes they picked 18 points, before completing their quest with 45 points in Singles on the final day.

Sigona was third on a cumulative score of 29 points.

In the Patron's Shield competition, Nyali Golf & Country Club finished top with a total of 105 points thus earning promotion to the trophy competition for next year's event.

Kenya Railways were second in the Shield competition on a cumulative total of 63.5 points.

Limuru Country Club earned promotion to the Shield after topping the Plaque division with a total 98.5 points.

At the same time, Royal Nairobi Club who finished overall on third with 63.5 points in the Patrons Shield now gets demoted to the Plaque category while Windsor Golf & Country Club now drops to Patrons Bowl.

Limuru Captain David Irimu was appreciative of the team effort after earning promotion in next year's showpiece.

“It was enjoyable for all of us and all gratitude goes to Muthaiga Golf Club for hosting us but allowing teams to own the event. We did well as a team because last year we were relegated from Shield to Plaque but this year we managed to beat Golf Park,Karen Country Club and Windsor Country Club to get promoted again back to the Shield category. The organisation was top notch and for me also what worked was the inclusivity around it. We look forward to being bigger and better hopefully in 2024,” said the former club chairman.

Elsewhere Kiambu Golf Club earned a deserved promotion berth to the Plaque Division after posting a commendable total tally of 108 points to finish ahead of Mombasa Sports Club and Thika Sports Club on 79 points and 95 points respectively.

A total 168 players representing 14 teams across the country took part in the three day tournament. The Trophy and Shield competitions attracted three teams apiece whilst the Plaque and Bowl competition saw four teams compete per round.