Muthoki rocks Mountain Classic at Nanyuki Club

Nanyuki Sports Clubs' captain Sam Muchiri in action during the Mountain Classic golf day in Nanyuki, Laikipia County, September 8, 2019. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

On a super score of 42 stableford points Moses Muthoki claimed the Mountain Classic golf day top prize at Nanyuki Sports Club against the backdrop of picturesque Mt Kenya over the weekend.

Playing off handicap 13, Muthoki posted a sterling score comprised of better outward nine from where he had 24 stableford points and a weaker back nine from where he managed an additional 18 stableford points.

Mountain Classic Golf day was presented by Embu County Golfers, now in its 11th year which is made up of golfers who trace their roots to Embu county but are ‘exiled’ in Kiambu Golf Club as their home club for lack of a golf course within their home county of Embu.

A lean field of 51 golfers participated in the daylong tournament played under the stableford format off full handicap.

“It’s gratifying for us as Embu County golf fraternity to be out here in Laikipia, as we seek to interact with fellow golfers with the intent of growing the great sport of golf and national cohesion,” Martin Nyaga, Patron of Embu County golfers.

Muthoki opened his scorecard on a clean slate with three birdies sank on the par-4 first, par-4 13th and the par-4 14th holes.

His pars were realised from the par-4 second, par-3 third, par-4 fourth, the course’s toughest hole a stroke index one, a par-5 seventh dog-leg right. Muthoki found the green on his third shot but missed out a birdie putt and tapped it in for par.

The other pars came through on the par-5 eighth, par-3 ninth and the par-5 17th. With bogeys that were realized on the par-4 fifth, par-4 sixth with a single no-return on the par-4 10th hole.

“Just like the Lion has its day out in the wild, today was my day on the course. I had an amazing round, thanks to my short game and even my long game,” said Muthoki on his win.

His clubmate Richard Jones playing off handicap 26, settled for the second spot - a point shy off Muthoki with 41 stableford points with handicap 20 James Warui settling for third place on a score of 39 stableford points.

Visiting golfer Hildah Muhia of Kiambu Golf Club, playing off handicap 25, won the ladies’ gong on a score of 34 stableford points with handicap 7 ‘Sir’ Joe Wainaina of Limuru Golf & Country Club taking the guest prize on a score of 33 stableford points.