By JAMES WAINDI (Chief Editor)

Golf Park’s David Opati was on Sunday crowned the 2012 golfer of the year in style with a win at the season ending Nyali Open Golf Championship at the par 71 Nyali Club.

Opati playing off handicap +3 posted a total score of one over par 214 gross to emerge the overall winner of the 54-hole competition. He started off the first round on Saturday morning on a one under par 70 gross, and played an identical one over par 72 gross in the last two rounds to claim the trophy.

With the win, Opati bagged 12 points towards the GOTY rankings to end the series on 114.10 points. Vet Lab’s Nelson Simwa who at one point threatened to challenge Opati for the GOTY title, finished a distance second on 78.25 points.

“I have no words to express my joy, especially having won this year’s Coast Open and now the Nyali Open, a tournament I had never won in my golfing career,” said Opati who is also the national golf team captain.

Home player and international Daniel Nduva playing off handicap three was the tournament’s gross runner  up on a round total of 221 (72, 71, 78) and E. Ooko was third on a score of 224 gross.

Having been declared as the 2012 Best Golfer in the country, Opati has now secured an automatic ticket to participate in the Kenya Open Championship to be held on 13^th to 17^th February 2013 at Karen Golf and Country Club.

During the prize giving ceremony held at Nyali Golf and Country club on Sunday, the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) Chairman Alfred Kariuki congratulated the winners and thanked Keringet for sponsoring the KGU GOTY events 2012.

The Chairman also thanked Nyali International Beach Hotel for sponsoring Nyali Open. He lauded all golfers who have participated in GOTY events and also reiterated the commitment of the Union in developing the game of golf through junior golf development.

During the ceremony, the KGU Chairman also announced that the Union will be adopting new system of awarding points in order to motivate players to participate in large numbers during GOTY events.

The 2013 GOTY season starts with Sigona Bowl on 18^th and 19^th January 2013. maillot de foot pas cher maillot de foot pas cher

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