Golf: Kanyora triumphs in Kanini Kega tournament

Gokul Prem Kumar, Vice President International Business, Mediheal Group of Hospitals awardsHon Kanini Kega golf day Gross winner Michael Ngene with his prize at Kiambu Golf Club, May 18, 2019. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Susan Kanyora, 64, braved heavy rains that pounded the par 72, Kiambu Golf Club, listed at 6,096 yards to claim the maiden Hon Kanini Kega golf tournament top prize over the weekend.

The soft spoken Kanyora, playing off handicap 14, returned to the clubhouse with a commendable score of 35 stableford points, to prevail, despite the showers which disrupted play throughout the day.

The tournament, which brought together a field of 140 golfers, was hosted by Honorable Kanini Kega, member of parliament for Kieni constituency and presented by Mediheal Group of Hospitals.

“This is the first of a series of events, we will be going around the country with the intent of demystifying the game of golf, by nurturing young golfers, by moving golf from the town to the villages. I shall soon be starting golf academies in my constituency to develop the raw talents.” said Kanini Kega

The competition scratch score was 35 stableford points. Most golfers attributing their poor showing, to the wet and tough playing course conditions.

It was hardly a birdie-fest for Kanyora, who has been playing for the past 18 years, having played off handicap eight, having taken up the game as a hobby.

On the front nine, Kanyora had an even round, sinking four pars on the, par-4 first, par-3 fourth, par-4 sixth and the par-3 eighth. Bogeyed the par-5 second, par-5 third, par-4 fifth and seventh holes, scratching the par-4 ninth hole for an opening round total of 16 stableford points.

Kanyora, however had a foul start after the midway break, after hooking her tee-shot, which was caught by trees lining the fairway. Leaving her with no clear shot to the green. Things were made worse after her recovery shot landed into the green-side protective bunker.

Chipped it onto the water-logged green, on her third shot but left her putt short twice, ending up with a seven to scratch the hole. After which she bogeyed the par-5 12th, par-5 13th and the par-4 14th.

Another no-return on the par-4 15th, blemished her card but she rolled in two more bogeys on the par-3 17th and the par-4 18th to close her back nine, with an extra19 stableford points to seal her victory.

"Today was tough," Kanyora said. "The course is very wet, that makes the course to play heavy, presenting difficult playing conditions, for everyone."

“I pray that, God blesses our sponsor Hon Kanini Kega, so that he sponsors again next year. I will be here to defend this prize, God willing.” she added

“Kenya is emerging as a preferred healthcare destination in Africa. At Mediheal Group of Hospitals, we are offering tertiary level services, which include, Kidney transplant, advance brain and spine surgery, Joint replacement and IVF, using state of the art facilities while offering high quality treatment at affordable cost.” said Gokul Prem Kumar, Vice President International Business, Mediheal Group of Hospitals

The prize giving dinner was Graced by Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Kiambu member of parliament Jude Jomo and former Gatanga legislator Peter Kenneth among others.

“We will soon host a fundraising golf tournament here in Kiambu, to enable us purchase golf equipment’s, to help us introduce the game of golf to school from primary level on-wards.” said Jomo

 Adding, “People can eke a living out of sports and it is for this reason, we want to nurture such talents that abound within our midst, through the introduction of such programs.”

Ceasar Mugo, playing off handicap 12, was the Men winner, on a score of 34 stableford points beating Men winner second John Ngure “Legend”, Col Rogers Mbithi and George Kamau settling for Men winner third and fourth respectively on a similar score of 34 stableford points on countback.

Handicap 9, Michael Ngene bagged the Gross prize with 76 Gross. Joseph Kahari playing off handicap 18, on a score of 37 stableford points claimed the Guest prize.

In the Nines, Elijah Karanu won the First nine prize with 19 stableford points, as Dr Paul Murumba won the Second nine prize with 19 stableford points. With Ken Mwaura taking home the Best Effort prize after struggling to score 18 stableford points from his round of 18.

Only three two-clubs were registered in the tournament, with each of the three golfers getting 18 golf balls each.

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