Kamais raises the bar win LSK tournament in Nakuru

Rift valley Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Golf tournament overall winner John Kamais in action at Nakuru Golf Club, September 2, 2023. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

John Kamais inked a 2-under par 73 to lift Rift valley Law Society of Kenya (LSK) golf tournament title at Nakuru Golf Club on Saturday.

Kamais playing off handicap-1, led in Division one after blending 20 stableford points from his outward nine with an additional 19 stableford points comprised of six pars, one double-bogey and two birdies picking a similar number of pars, two birdies and a lone double-bogey from his inward nine for a sound win with 39 stableford points.

During the meet presented by Madison Insurance and Philip Auctioneers and the Rift Valley Law Society a field of 137 golfers from host Nakuru Golf Club, Njoro Golf and Country Club, Naivasha Sports Club, Kenya Railway Golf Club, Sigona Golf Club participated.

Others were, Nyahururu Sports Club, Machakos Sports Club, Uganda Golf Club, Kericho Golf Club, Kitale Club, Muthaiga Golf Club, Karen Golf and Country Club, Royal Nairobi Golf Club, Eldoret Club, Nandi Bears Club, Ruiru Sports Club and Kiambu Golf Club.

The event was organised by the Rift Valley chapter of LSK to interact with their clients and families witha number of activities which included golf, snooker, cricket, tug of war and a dedicated children arena for the children as part of the fun filled day.

“This tournament is vital in bringing together lawyers from around the City of Nakuru but also their spouses and children as we seek to hasten our unity of purpose among us and a united fabric as the LSK Nakuru chapter,” Bernard Koech, Chairman, organising committee said.

Kamais who featured regularly in Kenya Amateur Golf Championship 2022 season has had the going tough in the 2023 season only taking part in Railway Invitational (Kenya Railway Golf Club), Trans-Nzoia Open (Kitale) and Coronation and Bendor at home in Nakuru out of the 36 listed championship events.

“My dream is to one day break the current course record set by James Lorum which stands at minus eight, every time I set off to the course that has always been my goal and it shall come to pass. Golf is my career and I make a living from it,” Kamais said on his target.

And singled out the high cost of participating in the tournaments as the main reason for his inconsistent participation this year with little or no support coming through, it has been hi onus to gun for the top prizes which he in turn liquidates to meet tournament expenses with each tournament gobbling up over Sh20,000 in terms of transport, accommodation, registration fees as well as out of pocket allowances per meet. 

With 10 more to go, he has embarked on a rigorous training to better his game and participate in more club based events with the aim of winning prizes which he would in turn sell and raise participation fees for the remaining ones.

His participation in Nyanza Open “Hippo Pot” at Nyanza September 9-10 is almost guaranteed as he expects to sell the prize he won on Saturday to raise the required funds and while hoping for the best with the rest.

Coming in second in Division 1 was handicap seven, Collins Kipkirui, who has been on a winning streak lately after inking 38 stableford points beating Ashok Patel on countback on a similar score of 38 stableford points to settle for third place.

In Division 2, teen Kulveer Singh won on a score of 37 stableford points ahead of Francis Kioni who posted 40 stableford points and Stephen Macharia with 38 stableford points.

Advocate winner prize went to a handicap 18, Kamonjo Kiburi “The travelling golfer” upon inking a score of 36 stableford points with a better countback score against Advocate winner second Harry Mbati.

Jennifer Mugweru playing off handicap 28 returned a score of 28 stableford points to take the Advocate lady winner prize.

Another top club golfer Shem Orwenyo won gross prize with 30 stableford points as Madison Insurance Regional manager Nicholas Karoki won sponsor prize on a score of 35 stableford points.

Lady winner prize went to Eleanor Wambui after carding a score of 33 stableford points. Junior winner prize went to Mark Karanja Playing off handicap 16 on a score of 34 stableford points.

Leading the guest prize hunt was Mackton Wekhomba on a score of 39 stableford points with Dr MS Malik winning senior prize on a score of 36 stableford points.

In the nines, Ann Nduati won first nine prize with 20 stableford points as Njoki went on to win second nine with 23 stableford points.

Straightest longest drive men and lady winner prizes went to Njoki Mureith and Gurtej Sahota respectively.