Nguku crowned King of the Course at Ruiru Sports Club

Home Club’s Isaac Nguku came out strongly as the lion to tame after dominating the course by taking the overall lead at the Ruiru Sports Club Course in Kiambu County over the weekend.

The handicap 13 Nguku produced an excellent 45 stable ford points to be crowned the King of the Course in this year’s third circuit of the ongoing ICEA LION King of the Course Golf tournament circuit series.

“This is the fruits of hard work and patience that has really paid off today in this tournament which I am really proud of. It seems the year has started off on a positive note on my side and I shall continue training hard to produce better results, “said Nguku.

The daylong 18 holes stable ford tourney sponsored by ICEA LION group brought together an estimated 200 golfers from the home Clubs, and Guests of the sponsor from across the Country.

Patrick Wamae playing off handicap 20 was the Men winner on 44 points while handicap 4 James Mureithi with 43 points and handicap 18 George Wandera on 40 points were the runners up and third placed respectively.

The Lady’s title was scooped by handicap 26 Esther Njau on a count back score of 40 points  after tying on the same points  with runners up placed  handicap 18 Catherine Gitonga.

Peter Kimatu playing off 17 survived on a count back score of 40 points to win the Guest Prize ,the same points recorded by  handicap 26 Grace Wanjiku who was the runners up.

Telvin Thuku playing off handicap 15 returned 38 points to scoop the Junior title while handicap 23 Stanley Mwangi was the senior winner with 40 points and Sarah Tuwei playing off handicap 37 won the  Staff prize after returning a score of 37 points.

ICEA LION Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Philip Lopokoiyit noted that the 2024 series that started in Machakos on January 6th is getting much bigger and better but above all it’s a celebration of the thriving golfing community.

“We are all excited at this great opportunity for your continued engagement with our existing and potential clients together with stakeholders across Kenya. The tournaments promise to be a source of excitement and a continuous client engagement, “said Lopokoiyit.

He pointed out that the Company remains committed and steadfast to not only enhancing competitiveness within the sport but also to fostering greater participation in golf, attracting enthusiasts and novices alike.

ICEA Lion Golf Series Captain Joe Mboya said the circuit now moves to Nanyuki Sports Club on March 9th taking a deserved break then head north to Eldoret Sports Club in May for a Club Nite before landing at Nandi Bears Club on the following day.

“The Grand Winner of the 2023 series is scheduled to participate in 2024 Lekoa Classic on April 26th and 27th at Parys Golf  and Country Estate-Vaal De Grace, in South Africa, “Said Mboya.

Elsewhere at the par 71 Mombasa Sea-Link course in Mombasa County, Home Club’s Lady Golfer Prisca Jebet led her four ball team comprising Rishi Dodhia, Florence Karimi, and Orpha Wamaitha in carding a combined total of 113 points to claim overall team lead in the first leg of this year’s KCB East African Golf Tour.

Mombasa Club Captain James Gitonga, Elijah Ibua, Gabriel, Gakuo, and Peter Kimanga missed the overall team title by just a single point to take the team runners up slot after recording a total of 112 points.

The two teams have booked a slot in this year’s grand finale slated for December at a venue and date yet to be named.

Willy Sang playing off handicap 20 carded an impressive 40 stable ford points to be crowned the Overall Individual winner while the Club’s Former chairman Peter Kimanga playing off handicap 12 returned 39 points to win the Men’s prize.

The day’s event attracted 154 golfers from the home Club and others from around the Coast Golf Clubs and was sponsored by KCB who also had their staff among the players.

Orpha Wamaiha was the Lady winner on 39 points while handicap 13 Ibrahim Lande on 36 points and handicap 8 Martin Kiambi with 34 points were Staff winner and runners up respectively.

The Junior Prize on a count back score of 30 points was won by Nasihah Abdallah while Dr.Kikwai  Kibet went home with the Nearest to the pin prize after his shot landed only 13.3 feet away from the 18th hole.

Club Chairman Paul Munyao flanked by the Club Captain James Gitonga thanked KCB for coming  back to the Club after 24 years absence and promised the relationship between the two stakeholders will continue to grow stronger.

KCB Director Corporate Banking John Okulo pointed out that they intend to interact with 3,000 golfers, and 1,000 juniors through the clinics that will ran concurrently with the series in a bid to expand the sport and give everyone an opportunity to enjoy the series.

“We will this year feature a 24-leg amateur series, traversing twenty Counties in Kenya and four other Countries in the East African region namely Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Uganda, “said Okulo.

He added that the club that produces the winning team will win a cash prize of KShs 1 Million towards a sustainability project that they are currently undertaking.

“KCB has also partnered with Beulah City, a property firm, who have committed to give an apartment (in the Ikhaya Beulah Genesis project) valued at KShs.2.1 million as the hole in one prize for every leg of the 2024 tour, “said Okulo.

The series will culminate in a grand finale in December, where the top teams from each leg will meet, to crown the overall winners, who will go on to play at the 2025 Magical Kenya Ladies Open Pro-Am event, at the PGA Baobab Golf Course, Vipingo.

Action now moves to the Eldoret Golf Club for the second leg of the 2024 KCB East Africa