Scotts dominate Dasani Golf Gala as Opati lifts Barry Cup

Mombasa

By James Waindi and Maarufu Mohamed

The 13th edition of the Dasani Golf Gala held at the par 72 Karen Golf and Country Club turned into a family affair with the Scotts dominating the day’s event to qualify for the Grand Finale, slated for August 27 at the same venue.

James Scott in action during Dasani Golf Gala at Karen Golf and Country Club at the weekend. [PHOTO:JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

The Scott family of father Hugh, mother Hillary and their boys Alastair and James posted a team score of 113 points to rule the day and in the process secure one of four qualifying slots.

James Scott, 20, the youngest member of the family, anchored the team to victory with a commendable, one-over par gross score for a total of 39 points. He had birdie on the second hole, but dropped shots on the par-four fourth and ninth to finish one over on the opening nine holes.

On the back nine, secured birdies on the 11th, 14th and 15th and bogeys on the short par-four 12th and on the 16th and 17th for a level par score.

His parents, Hugh and Alastair played steady golf, scoring 37 points apiece for a team total 113 points. Alastair, was the team’s weakest link with 28 points.

Second position

The team of Peter Kanyago, John Muiruri, Kingori Kariuki and Steve Waruhiu finished a point behind the winners, to secure the second position with 112 points. Kariuki anchored the team with an impressive 41 points, Waruhiu added 38 points and Muiruri contributed 33 points for a team total of 112.

Kanyago, the Kenya Open Golf Ltd chairman was the team’s weakest link on 29 points. Team of George Muturi, Joe Muigai, Ken Kubasu and Peter Waweru finished third on 107 points; with Waweru also claiming the overall individual prize on 43 points, a two-under par gross score of 70.

The team of Frederick Kariuki, Joe Kihanya, Stanley Nduati and Irungu Wanyoike finished fourth with a team score of 106 points. The top four teams will represent the Karen Country Club at the Dasani Golf Gala Grand Finale.

Winning team

Meanwhile, David Opati scored a total of 145 gross to emerge the overall winer of the 2011 Coast open Championships at Mombasa Golf Club course on Sunday.

The national golf team player, playing off plus one handicap, and a member of Golf Park Club maintained his victory from Saturday with a two under par 69 gross before closing the final rounds with a five over par 76 gross on Sunday to lift the Barry Cup.

Opati, a former caddy for Professional golfer Jacob Okello, had started the first hole with a scratch, but fought on to sink a birdie on hole eight, leveled pars on five holes and a bogey for a four over par 39 gross in the outward nines.

He rounded up the inward nines a one over par 37 gross after leveling eight holes and a bogey to lead the tournament.

"This is a sweet victory for me. It was a worry that I might never win any tournament after a recent three-month long wrist injury. Now I still have a duty for the country by playing in the forthcoming all Africa games in South Africa and next year’s Zone Six in Malawi before turning professional in mid next year" said Opati.

He beat Joseph Waweru Karanja of Railways Club by five shots for the runners up slot, while national golf team captain Francis Kimani of Limuru Club finished third on a score of 151 gross.

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