By FIDEL ONO

Home player James Karanja posted the best score of the day to beat a large field of 182 players and in the process anchored his team victory at the last Dasani Golf Gala qualifier held at the par 71 Limuru Golf and Country Club on Saturday.

Karanja playing off handicap +1 amassed 41 points, while handicap 16 David Waiganjo contributed 36 points, while handicap 20 Cyrus Kamau scored 34 points and Robin Njenga playing off handicap 31 was the team’s weakest link as the ended the day with a team score of 11 points. In the process they booked an automatic slot to the tournament’s Grand Finale slated for September 29 at the Karen Golf and Country Club.

Speaking on behalf of the winning team, Cyrus Kamau said he was honored by the win and said they were not going to rest on their laurels until they win the finale at Karen.

“The course was tough, but we managed to conquer it and we believe we can have a repeat performance in Karen in the next two weeks,” said Kamau.

The second team managed a combined score of 109 points and also booked a ticket to Karen. The team was anchored by handicap 18 Sammy Muita Gathuri on 38 points, while handicap 13 David Mwindi contributed 36 points and Grace Kimeria playing off handicap 13 amassed 35 points. Handicap 20 Kenneth Mwaura was the team’s weakest link on 30 pioints.

The reserve team which was a single point shy of the runners-up was made of Steve Maina (39), Victor Gichuri (36), Ben Mbai (33) and Kamau Ngengi (23). They posted a combined score of 108 points.

Kenya Open’s course director Patrick Obath playing off handicap 17 won the guest prize on 37 points, while handicap 25 Nganga Kariuki was the junior winner on 32 points and Simon Mwangi won the nearest to the pin prize.

The men’s longest drive prize went to James Kariuki, while Stella Gathigia won the ladies’ longest drive.

This was the last qualifier in the Gala’s 18-leg series which went through Kiambu, Thika, Vet Lab, Royal, Railways, Karen, Sigona, Muthaiga, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyanza, Kisii, Nyali, Leisure Lodge, Nyeri, Machakos and Windsor.

Speaking during the prize giving ceremony, Reagan Otieno, the Nairobi Bottlers’ Key Account Executive said 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 Maina. michael kors sac a dos michael kors sac a dos

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