By James Waindi

Thika resident pro Simon Ngige teed off the 2011 KCB regional golf tour in style by winning the tour opener at the Thika Sports Club on Saturday.

Enjoying his home course, Ngige played 13 under to repeat last year’s feat where he won the season opener at the same venue.

On the final day of the four rounds event, Ngige sunk back-to-back birdies on the second, fifth and seventh holes for a score of 30 in the first nine.

At the back nine, had a false start, playing a bogey on the on the 10th hole but recovered with two birdies on the 11th and 12th holes. He dropped two more shots on the 13th hole and 14th holes, but picked a shot on the 15th hole, before playing levelling holes 16th and 17th and picking a birdie on the 18th for a total of 277 points, to rule the day.

Hard hitting Mumias professional Dismas Indiza shot the second best round of the day, playing one under par 66 for a total of 281 points after the four rounds.

Dropped shots

Indiza who is among the favourites in the tour, rolled fairly well on the first nine, picking two birdies on the first and ninth holes, but dropped shots on the 2nd, 3rd and 8th holes for a score of 36.

At the back nine, Indiza picked a shot in the 10th, levelled holes 11 and 12, then followed it by two successful birdies on the 13th, 14th holes and 15th, hit a par on 16th and picked a birdie on the 17th before playing a par on the 18th for a total of 66.

Nakuru’s Richard Ainley, J. Wachira, David Njihia, Mumbi Njuguna and B. Mutereheni finished third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.

For winning the event, Ngige pocketed Sh110,000 while Indiza earned Sh86,000 to open up the Sh8.7 million KCB Sponsorship docket that has been set aside for the tour 2011.

“The second round of the tournament moves to Muthaiga Golf Club next month with a cash prize of Sh500, 000 for the one who records best for the day,” said KCB Divisional Director Tony Githuku.

This year’s tour will move to Arusha, Kampala, and Kigali with a cash prize of Sh1 million in each course. Locally the tournament will be held at Nakuru and Kisumu as well as a Sh3 million jack pot prize grand finale at Nyali Golf Club.

Muthaiga: KQ Golf Series Qualifier, Overall winner- Eng. J. W. Njaaga 42, Men winner- Sam Kamatu 41, R/Up- Ashish Shah 40, Men Third- Antony Gathigi 39, Men Fourth- Patel Haren 39, Lady winner- Susan Kanyora 33, Junior winner- David Kamau 38, Guest winner- Kingori Kariuki 37. 2010 Ladies Captain’s Prize – Mrs. Nicole Gidoomal, Sponsored by Toyota East Africa Ltd, Overall Winner- Ann Wanyoike 38, Silver Division, Winner- Fiona Fox c/b 35, R/up- Rose Koome c/b 35, Third- Rita Njeru 35. Bronze Division, Winner- Mary Maingi 33, R/up- Dianne O’connor 32, Third- Sunita Somaia c/b 30, Guest Men Winner- D. Kireri 40, Guest Lady Winner- T. Kabuga 34, Member Men Winner- Aman Sodi 42.

Courtesy of Standard Newspapers air max schwarz air max schwarz

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