Home Club’s Allan Habala braved the unfriendly current Coastal heat to be emerge the overall winner of the Kenya Association of Women in Tourism (KAWT) golf tournament played at the Diani’s challenging par 72 Diamond Leisure Beach and Golf Resort Course in South Coast of Mombasa, Kwale County on Saturday.
Playing off handicap 8 Haballa carded an eight over par 80 gross to be crowned the day’s overall lowest handicap gross champion in the daylong 18 holes tourney that attracted 140 golfers.
“The secret to winning at this course is to avoid the bush. Though the day has been extremely hot, I managed to endure by taking plenty of water to avoid dehydration and kept my swings on the fairways to lead the day.
“It has been a good day coming together in this Women tourney to give all our support and I thank the organizers,” said Habala.
Jonathan Evans playing off handicap 16 was the Men’s winner on account back score of 35 points after tying on the same points with runners placed Club Captain Dr.Stan Kinsch while taking the third slot on 31 points was Randal Adams.
In the Ladies category, handicap 53 Lucy Edwards emerged the winner on 39 points beating handicap 31 Pauline Nduva to the runners up slot by a single point and handicap 24 Silvia Kampa was third with 34 points.
Mombasa Golf Club’s handicap 23 Prisca Jebet brought 30 points to win the Guest prize and her club mate handicap 23 left handed golfer Elijah Ibua returned 29 points to emerge the runners up.
The event was jointly supported by Tourism Fund, I&M Bank, Mercure Hotels by Accor, Safari link, and Diani Hardware with among others being Diani Sea, Travellers Beach Resort, Jacaranda Beach Resort Tamarind Group and Friends of KAWT.
KAWT Coast Chairlady Pauline Nduva thanked the golfers for turning up in good numbers and Sponsors for making the event successful and promised it will be bigger and better next year.
She said the main objective of the Association is to unite and mobilize women in the tourism and hospitality sector to take an active role in the promotion of tourism in Kenya and come up with programs that promote and enhance social harmony.
Elsewhere at Nanyuki Sport Course on the same day, handicap 26 Machakos Golfer Charles Kithuku carded an excellent 41 points to emerge the overall winner of the ICEA LION King of the Course series golf tournament beating a team of 122 golfers.
Purity Githui playing off handicap 11 was the Member winner on 40 points beating handicap 11 Samuel Muchiri to the runners up slot by a single point difference while handicap 14 Richard Kabugi on a count back of 38 points was the runners up after tying on the same points with third placed handicap 14 James Warui.
The Guest prize was won by handicap 21 Sylvester Muiruru on 35 points while handicap 33 Jane Munyori on 33 points and handicap 10 Susan Hiuko with 27 points were the Lady winner and runners up respectively.
Joseph Warui playing off handicap 20 carded 30 points to win the Junior Prize and the Staff prize with 23 points was won by handicap 19 Joe Wangai.
In the Seniors for over 65 years category handicap 31 Sammy Mwangi brought 45 points to win the Men prize with handicap 29 Joseph Mbitu taking the runners up slot on 42 points.
Becky Ngatia playing off handicap 333 was the lady winner in the same category while Mwngi Muthoni playing off handicap 31 was the runners-up with 31 points.
ICEAN LION Chief Executive Officer Philip Lopokoiyit extended his deepest gratitude to the Club’s Chairman Joseph Mwangi Club Captain Anthony Rukwaro,the entire Club team and the incredible players who have come together to make this event a reality saying their relationship with the Cub is not just a partnership but a shared journey that dates back to 2014.
“Over the years, this bond has flourished, grounded in mutual respect and a shared vision for excellence. Today, as we gather for the ICEA LION King of the Course Golf Series, we are not only celebrating this enduring relationship but also reinforcing our commitment to the sport and the community around the Mount Kenya region.
“Furthermore, our role as insurers for the Club is a testament to our trust and belief in the value and legacy of this esteemed institution. Reflecting on our previous series, each event has been a step forward in our journey, a celebration of talent, and a testament to the spirit of Golf. Your dedication, hard work, and passion for golf have not only made this tournament possible but have also fostered a spirit of community and sportsmanship that is truly inspiring,” said Lopokoyit.
He pointed out that ICEA LION is committed and passionate about Junior Golf and will continue to support the growth and development of junior golf in Kenya in order tap, nurture and develop talents among junior golfers across the Country featuring both boys and girls between the ages of 4 to 21years.
The series that began in January has so far been played at Machakos, Thika Greens, and Ruiru and after Nanyuki, the next legs will be at Nyeri,Nyahururu,Machakos,Mombasa,Royal Nairobi ,Kiambu and Vetlab Sports Club.
Meanwhile Home Club’s Jacintah Wambugu and Muthaiga’s Rose Catherine emerged winners of the 2024 Karen Ladies Golf Invitation after posting an impressive 48 stable ford points to claim top honors at the tournament played at the Karen Country Club also on Saturday.
Karen Country Club’s Kabura Kamau who combined with Limuru Golf Club’s Agnes Nyambura for a total of 41 points finished second while the team of Karen’s Nekoye Inzaule and Royal Golf Club’s Cherotich Murgor sat third on a countback score of 40 points.
They had tied with fourth placed the team Karen’s Carol Karanja who is also the lady captain at Golf Park -and Vet Lab’s Rehema Mohamed.
Marya Nyambura from Karen and Cherono Kipkorir from Royal Nairobi Golf Club took the junior prize on 34 points.
This annual event brought together over 200 lady golfers who were drawn to play in a greensomes format that saw home players paired with guest players over 18 holes.
OTHER SELECTED RESULTS;
NYALI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB;
March Mug and Ladies Medal;
Sponsored by NGCC;
Best gross winner-William Kaguta (2)-73gross,Division A winner-Jimmy King'ori (9)-69nett,Runners up-William Kaguta (2)-71nett,Third-Thushara De Silva (12)-72nett,Division B winner-Saqib Aboo (18)-70nett,Runners up-Mwangi Mburu (17)-71nett,Third-Rajesh Kunverji (17)-72nett,dvision C winner-Jon Stokes (19)-67nett C/B,Runners up-Brandon Oyaro (19)-67nett,Third-Suresh Hirani (22)-69nett,Division D winner-Erskine Nyongesa (30)-61nett,Runners up-Max Mitterer (40)-68nett,Best Male Caddy-Solomon Majanga (1)-72nett,Guest winner-Kevin Smith (10)-72nett,Ladies medal Gross winner-Mary Kandu (11)-87gross,Division A winner-Florence Karimi (20)-70nett,Runners up-Teresia Odoo (16)-73nett,Third-Mary Mariga (18)-74nett,Division B winner-Rose Kinyanjui (32)-73nett C/B,Runners up-Janet Wasike (28)-73nett,Third-Rose Njogu (29)-75nett,Division C winner-Juliet Winja (39)-73nett,Best Lady Caddy-Redemtha Wayua (8)-81nett,Best Guest-Eunice Korir (23)-76nett,Best putter-Terry Odoo-31 putts.
RUIRU SPORTS CLUB;
Captain's Prize;
Overall winner-Benjamin Okumu (16)-43points Men winner (cat 1)-Thomas Mwaura (12)-38points,Runners up-Josphat Kaunda (12)-35points,Men winner (cat 2)-Ephraim Wachira (18)-39points,runners up-David Mbugua (17)-39points,Men winner (cat 3)-Patrick Kariri (22)-42points,runners up-Charles Watahi (28)-42points,Men winner (cat 4)-Trasicio Nyamu (33)-41points,Lady winner-(cat 1)-Salome Kamau (20)-38points,Runners up-Catherine Gitonga (15)-37points,lady winner (cat 2)-Margaret Muriu (26)-40points,Runners up-Tabitha Kiragu (21)-39points,
Lady winner (cat 3)-Margaret Kariuki (39)-37points,Gross winner-Ken Lucas (8)-28gross points, Sponsor winner-Wambui Gachoka (32)-40points,Senior winner-P.Gaitara (16)-40points,Senior Lady winner-Susan Kanyora (19)-34points,Former Captain's winner-Lucy Kwendo (20)-37points,Junior winner-Alex Ngugi-(19)-36points,Guest Men winner-Joseph Mwai (21)-43points,Guest lady winner-Grace Wanjiku (31)-41points.
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