By CORRESPONDENT

He came, played and conquered a large field of 120 players to lead 16 participants to the February’s Grand Finale after the third leg of this year’s Barclays Golf Circuit played at the par 73 Nakuru Golf Club on Saturday.

Njoro Golf Club’s chairman Dominic Walubengo playing off handicap 22 was in a class of his own as he shed off stiff challenge from home players to emerge as the men winner in the day long tournament on 39 stableford points. In the first nine, Walubengo posted 20 points, before amassing 19 points in the back nine.

“When I left my house I came knowing that I was coming for a normal round of golf and go back home as usual, but surprisingly I ended up winning, I honestly didn’t expect to win it. The team which I was registered with failed to turn up so I had to join a new team at the green and we got on very well,” said Walubengo.

He added: “I used seven iron for all my tee shots and I ended up on the fairway all the time with my first shot and things went well all the way. The green keeper also helped me by cutting the rough and made my day easy than in the past.”

Home player Paul Muhia playing off handicap 10 settled for the runner up position on 36 stableford points after posting 20 points in the first nine before completing his round with 16 points.

Stanley Kirui playing off handicap 10 beat Pancras Kuria and club captain Njuguna Njoka on a back-to-back countback to finish third on 35 points (16, 19). Kuria playing off handicap 13 was fourth on 35 points (17, 18) while handicap five Njoka finished fifth on 35 points (20, 15).

Margaret Cheptumo playing off handicap 32 posted the best score of the day to scoop the lady winner’s prize after she managed 42 points. In the first nine, Cheptumo who has played golf for only six months posted 14 points, before amassing an impressive 28 points in the second nine.

Susan Gichuki playing off handicap off handicap 20 was the lady runner-up on 36 points, while Mark Njuguna emerged the junior winner on 29 points (17, 12) and Peter Macharia won the guest prize on 35 points.

Barclays Consumer Banking director Zahid Mustapha playing off handicap 24 won the staff prize after posting 34 points and he was followed by Sam Munyua on 30 points.

The nearest to the pin prize went to Paul Mugo, while K. K. Soni had the men straightest drive and Esther Karuga had the ladies straightest drive prizes respectively.

Barclays Bank’s Chief Finance Officer Yusuf Omari who graced the event said: “The view of Nakuru town from the 18^th hole will certainly make me return and play on the course.”

The overall winner during the grand finale will land a fully paid golfing tour on the expansive golf courses in South Africa, while the top 20 at the finale will get slots to play at next year’s Barclays Kenya Open Golf Pro Am.

“The pro-am is a dream for any amateur golfer where they get an opportunity to play with mainly top European professionals that grace the Barclays Kenya Open. Courtesy of Barclays hospitality, they will also get season tickets and VIP guest passes to the Barclays Hospitality tent at the Barclays Kenya Open,” Omari said.

From Limuru, the circuit moves to Machakos Golf Club on September 7 where members of Machakos and Kenya Armed Forces Golf Club will be brought together.

Nakuru qualifiers: Margaret Cheptumo, Susan Gichuki, Paul Muhia, Esther Karuga, Stanley Kirui, Pancras Kuria, Peter Machari, Thomas Chege.

Njoro qualifiers: Dominic Walubengo, Patrick Mbuthia, J. K. Rutto, Kinuthia Mbugua, John Mokaya.

Naivasha qualifiers: Nanice Gichinga, Michael Mugo, Dr Gichinga. canada goose homme canada goose homme

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