THIURI WINS BARCLAYS CIRCUIT IN MACHAKOS
Veronica Nduva reacts after putting during the fourth leg of the Barclays Golf Circuit held at the Machakos Golf Club on Saturday. She was the ladies runner-up.
By CORRESPONDENT
Dionedes Thiuri beat a field of 135 players to emerge the men winner during the fourth leg of the ongoing Barclays Golf Circuit at the par 72 Machakos Golf Club on Saturday.
Thiuri playing off handicap 28 posted an impressive 44 stableford points made up of an identical score of 22 stableford in both nines to rule the roost.
“I am very happy for this win. The course was in a great condition today and my swing was great,” said Thiuri.
He added: “This is the second event I have won in my golf career and apparently the first time I won, I played with Ben Okello whom I also played with today and I scored the same points.”
Fred Kilonzi playing off handicap 10 finished as the men runner-up on 39 points, while handicap 20 Wambua Mila was third on 38 points after beating Collins Kaloki and James Dunda on a back-to-back countback. Kaloki playing off handicap 12 was fourth, while handicap 7 Dunda was fifth.
Machakos lady captain Jeniffer Ngureplaying off handicap 18 was in a class of her own as she posted 41 points to win the ladies prize. Handicap 32 Veronica Nduva settled for the ladies runner-up prize on 32 points.
The guest prize went to handicap 6 A. Matheka on a score of 35 points, with handicap 36 Ziporrah Aza as the runner-up on 31 points, while Royal’s Mutinda Mutuku had the men’s straightest drive and Ben Mumo won the nearest to the pin prize.
Barclays Consumer Banking director Zahid Mustapha playing off handicap 24 was the staffs winner on 33 points and veteran golf reporter Larry Ngala playing off handicap 22 emerged the media winner on 31 points.
“Personally I have been impressed by the hospitality at Machakos and I am satisfied that we made the right choice to Machakos as one of the venues for this year’s Barclays Golf Circuit,” said Mustafa.
He added: “The Barclays Golf Circuit is a tournament that we hold dear as Barclays, not only because of the brand association but also the role that this tournament has played in nurturing golf talent in the country. This was evident from the exemplary performance of last editions Barclays circuit finalists during the premier Barclays Kenya Open tournament.”
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,” Mustafa said.
From Machakos, the circuit moves to Nyanza Golf Club on September 28 where members of Nyanza, Kericho, Kakamega and Mumias will be brought together.
Machakos qualifiers: Jennifer Ngure, Fred Kilonzi, Wambua Mila, Collins Kaloki, James Ndunda, Victor Mutwii. Reserve: Sam Kona.
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