SOARING HIGH: Joseph W Karanja of Golf Park follows his tee shot during the Limuru Open at the par 72 course on Saturday. He went ahead to win the tournament which is part of the GOTY series.

By JAMES WAINDI

Reigning golfer of the year Joseph Karanja of Golf Park posted 215 gross to emerge this year’s Limuru Open winner, one of the Golfer of the Year (Goty) events.

Home player James Karanja managed 217 gross to finish second while David Opati who before this event was leading Kenya Golf Union Keringet Goty standings finished third on 218 gross.

The victory earned the winner (Joseph) Karanja 12 Goty points while (James) Karanja gained 10.5 and Opati nine.

Other golfers who earned Goty points during the Keringet sponsored Limuru Open event are: Simon Mwangi (7.5), Francis Kimani (6) M Omondi (3.5) and gross round one winner E Ooko (3.5).

Gross round two winner A Chelogoi playing off handicap four and A Kinuthia playing off handicap four each scooped 0.75 Goty points during the event Saturday.

Nett round one winner was handicap 7 S Gatere on 72 while Dennis Maara playing off handicap four was the runner-up on 70 with R Njoroge playing off handicap four occupied third position on 70 nett.

The prize of best junior went to handicap 14 Is Haq Agil who posted 227 nett. air max air max

Home player D. Medirata in action during the eighth leg of Dasani Golf Gala at Royal Club on Saturday.

By JAMES WAINDI

Royal Nairobi Golf Club’s lady captain Sarah Hoare anchored an all ladies team to a famous win during the eighth edition of the Dasani Golf Gala held at the par 72 Royal Nairobi Golf Gala on Saturday.

Hoare playing off handicap 10 contributed 38 stableford points to the group, which amassed to a joint total of 107 points as they won the contest on countback. Other members of the team included handicap 18 Lucy Awiti (35 points), handicap seven Florence W Maina (34 points) and handicap 11 Anne Marie Vellecop (30points) who was the team’s weakest link.

The team of handicap 23 Jessica Kang, handicap 23 Wanja Kimani, handicap 18 Gatere Gathiga and Kim S. Yoon playing off handicap 19 settled for the second spot despite also amassing a similar team total of 107 points. The team was anchored by Kang on 37 points, while Kimani posted 36 points and Gathigia had 34 points. Yoon was the team’s weakest link on 26 points.

The third team was made up of Abner Onsomu, Murwithania Mugambi, Josiah Kogo and Ben Handa who posted a team score of 104 points while fourth team was made up John Odhiambo, George Odinga, Benson Wangalwa and Hesbon Ocholi who scored a team score of 103 points.

Michele Muhanda playing off handicap 18 won the guest prize on 35 points, while handicap 25 Kimutai was crowned the junior winner on 35 points and John Jume had the nearest to the pin. J.S Syan won the men’s longest drive prize at the tournament and Beatrice Kamau won the lady’s longest drive.

The grand prize this year will see the winning team of four players travel to Dubai to attend the Grand Finale of the European Tour, the DP World Tour Championships at the Jumeirah Golf Estates. While in Dubai, they will also have the opportunity to see Europe’s top 60 money earners on the 2012 Order of Merit battle it out for a 1.3 million winner’s cheque.

“In addition, they will play at some of the best golf courses in the region, including the Dubai Creek Course and the challenging Faldo Course at the Emirates Golf Club, a course designed by former world number 1 and six-time major Champion Sir Nick Faldo,” said Peter Njonjo, Coca Cola regional manager who graced the prize giving ceremony.

Action now moves to Coast next week where eight more qualifiers would be picked from the sixth leg to be held at the Karen Golf and Country Club on Saturday. canada goose france canada goose france