John Kariuki of Limuru Country Club led his team of Paul Kahura, Tony Karani and Victor Gichuru to a score of 110 gross points, to claim the top prize at their home leg of the 2023 KCB East Africa Golf Tour, played on Saturday.
Playing off handicap one, John Kariuki carded a round of 37, with Tony Karani returning a similar score, one ahead of team mate Victor Gichuru, making up the team’s best scores, to finish four points ahead of the group of Wilfred Gathu, Nicholas Gathuru, Wallace Mwaura and Mathu Nganga, on 106 points.
The two teams have booked their tickets to play in the tour’s grand finale to be staged at the Karen Country Club in November this year.
Speaking during the prize giving ceremony, National Bank of Kenya Managing Director, George Odhiambo said, “Today marks the third leg of our 2023 KCB East Africa Golf Tour, after successful events at the Vetlab Sports Club and Eldoret Golf Club. On behalf of KCB Group, we’d like to thank you all for honouring our invite and making this leg a success.”
“Through this series, we reiterate our support towards the growth of golf in the country, especially through our ladies and junior clinics, which we will host at every club we visit.” He added.
Commenting on his team’s win Paul Kahura said, “We decided to split our team into two groups, one playing in the morning and the other in the afternoon to ensure that we made the most out of the day, and our plan paid off. We are glad to have won and look forward to representing our club at the grand finale.”
On the individual front, Alvin Mbugua returned a score of 45 stableford points to claim the overall winner’s title in the field of over 200 players, beating junior Victory Waiyaki by two points, Victory went on to pick the men’s winner accolade, with Beth Kariuki taking home the lady winner’s prize.
James Kimani and Scola Onsongo bagged the men’s and lady’s longest drive awards, with Captain Waweru Thuku claiming the nearest to the pin prize. Scola also took home the staff winner’s prize having played a round of 36, as Walter Njenga scooped the Guest’s prize.
The day’s action was capped off with a hole-in-one by James Kimani, at the par-3 14th, with a pitching wedge in hand.
The amateur tournament was preceded by a successful lady’s clinic, which was held on Friday afternoon and attracted over 25 ladies, at the same venue. On Sunday, attention will shift to the juniors as they also take part in a similar introductory clinic. The clinics which will be held concurrently with the amateur series are aimed at growing the reach of the sport of golf in the country.
The fourth leg of the 2023 KCB East Africa Golf Tour will be held at the Railways golf club on Saturday 13th May 2023, where a further two teams are expected to qualify to play in the grand finale.
