By JAMES WAINDI (Chief Editor)

Nakuru golfer Richard Ainley maintained his second round lead to emerge the overall winner of the 54-hole Salmer Pro Am event held at the par 70, nine-hole Railway Golf Club.

The left handed golfer ended the event on seven under par 203 (70, 66, 67), one of the best scores witnessed on the course this year as he beat his closest opponent by seven shots and in the process pocketed a lucrative winner’s prize of Sh700, 000 courtesy of the tournament sponsors Salmer Fitness Centre.

On the final day, Ainley played three under par 67 to seal his victory. He picked two back-to-back birdies on the par four hole eight and par five hole nine for a first nine score of 33.

In the second nine, he had mixed fortunes, picking a birdie on the par four 14^th hole, had a bogey on the par three hole 15 before picking another birdie on the par three hole 17 for a back nine score of 34.

Home professional Njuguna Ngugi secured the second spot on level par 210 (73, 68, 69). In the final round, Ngugi who was enjoying a home ground advantage started with a birdie on the par five first hole, picked another shot on the par four third hole, before playing a bogey on the par three fourth hole, but recovered with another birdie on the par four fifth hole.

He dropped two shots on the par three sixth hole and par four eighth hole, before recovering with a birdie on the par five ninth for a first nine score of 35.

In the second nine, Ngugi who turned professional last year, started brightly with a birdie on the par five 10^th hole and added another birdie on the par four 14^th hole, but dropped a shot on the next par three 15^th hole, recovered with a birdie on the par five 16^th hole, played a bogey on the par three 17^th and finished with a birdie on the par five hole 18 for a back nine score of 34.

“I can admit that the knowledge of the course acted slightly to my advantage in this tournament. My putting was great and I am happy to be picking up very well towards the end of the year and towards the Kenya Open,” said Ngugi who pocketed Sh375, 000 for the feat.

First round’s early pace setter Dismas Indiza of Mumias Club finished third on two over par 212 (69, 73, 70) and in the process went home with Sh300, 000. Nelson Mudanyi of Windsor was fourth on three over par 213 (69, 74, 70).

A total of 15 amateur players, the best in the country also took part in the tournament and Vet Lab’s Mathew Omondi emerged the best on 210 gross to walk away with a 32 inch plasma television. Nelson Simwa also of Vet Lab was the runner up on 216 gross, while last year’s golfer of the year J. W. Karanja beat Golf Park’s David Opati on count back to settle for the third position on 222 gross.

This was one of the most lucrative professional tournaments in the history of the sport locally as all the top 20 players shared the prize money of Sh2.3 million.

There was also a participation fee of Sh10, 000 apart from the prize money, for all the 36 professionals who turned up for the tournament. nike air max pas cher nike air max pas cher

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