David Wakhu follows his tee shot at Karen Club today.

By DANIELLA APIYO AMANDA DAMARIS

The inaugural European Tour’s Savannah Classic teed off to a blistering pace at the par 71 Karen Country Club today, with Kenyan professional golfers posted mixed results, even as they hope to have more of them making cut after today’s round.

Golf Park’s David Wakhu, seemingly having learned from the Magical Kenya Open where he had a slow start and watched as his impressive four under par 67 went to waste as he missed cut, started the first round at the Classic on a high to finish as the best place Kenyan, tied 12th.

Teeing off at the par-four first hole, he pared the first two, dropped a shot at the par-four third but picked a birdie at the par five sixth to level the front nine at 35 out.  He had a better back nine, playing a bogey-free nine holes with three birdies and an eagle at the par-five 11th for 31 in and a total round of five under par 66.

He broke his own record of the lowest score set by a Kenyan at a European Tour event at Karen, which he set last week in the second round of the Open when he played four under par 67.

“I started the round today under pressure. I hit my first tee shot on the right and it looked like I didn’t have a shot to go to the green but I bailed myself out and saved a par. That gave me alot of courage. I knew I just needed to focus a shot at a time. I have been looking forward to being able to handle the pressure and swing with alot of freedom to enjoy the game and I am happy I am there. For the second round I will just stick to my strategy, maintain my composure and hope every will be okay,” said Wakhu.

Railways golf club’s professional golfer Samuel Njoroge, who was the only Kenyan to make cut at last week’s Magical Kenya Open leveled the course.

Starting the day at the par-four tenth, Njoroge had a good start, picking a birdie but lost his advantage in the next hole as he dropped a shot at the par-five eleventh, parred the 12th hole and dropped another shot at the par four 13th for 37 in.

Hi picked a birdie at the par-five sixth, bogeyed the par four eight but picked a birdie in his final hole, par-four ninth to level the course and put himself in a good place to make cut again.

Riz Charania, on his part, recovered from a one over par 37 on the back nine where he started playing to pick three birdies and two bogeys on the front nine for level par.

Muthaiga’s Greg Snow dropped a shot at the par-four 13th and 18th to his chance of carrying a two under par card to the second round, as he leveled the course as well.

Meanwhile, Mumias long hitter Dismas Indiza had a better start, compared to his game at the Kenya Open where he finished the first round at five over par 76, as he carded one over par 72 after a poor game in the back nine. The 52-year old played a bogey-free front nine, with two birdies but dropped four shots in the back nine, including a triple bogey on holes 13, 14 and 15 for the final score.

Ruiru Golf Club chairman Peter Mwaura (second right) with members of his four ball during the Saturday event.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Handicap 28 Anthony Kimani beat a large field of 247 players to emerge the overall winner of this year’s Ruiru Sports Club Chairman’s Prize at the weekend.

Kimani amassed a total of 43 points to carry the day. After his round, he alluded better preparations and jokingly connected his victory to the balls listening to his mother tongue as the reasons behind his win.

“I was well prepared for the competitions,” Anthony said. “I was here on Thursday for another competition which I used to prepare for today’s encounter but also I think the balls heard my mother tongue and obliged.” He jokingly finished.

In other results Isaac Githinji playing off handicap 10 emerged victorious in the men’s category A of player with handicaps between 1 and 12, winning by 37 points to see off stiff competition from handicap 6 Frank Munyuah who had 36 points and handicap 4 Bernard Omondi who managed 34 points.

Ciira Kiiyukia playing off handicap 14 won the Men’s category B made up of players with handicap 14 to 20 after he posted 40 points.

The men’s category C that was made up of players with handicap 21 to 28 was won by KRA’s handicap 28 player Terra Saidimu on 39 points.

The ladies prize category saw handicap 31 Salome Mwaura walk home with the prize on 37 points after seeing off stiff competition from handicap 23 Catharine Gitonga who had 36 points and Millicent handicap 36 Nduati who managed 36 points.

Dan Lubanga playing off handicap 28 emerge as the Men Guest winner on 36 points while handicap 20 C. Agengo was the Lady Guest winner on 32 points.

Handicap 19 D. Kitheka was the KCB Staff winner on 33 points while S. Nyaoke playing off handicap 20 won the KCB Guest winner category on 35 points.

Fredrick Wagura won the KRA Staff winner category while father Nicholas and Father Mwaura won the Clergy and Past Chairman categories respectively.

Club Chairman Peter Mwaura was thankful to the golfers, fans and sponsors for making the event a success during his prize giving ceremony speech.

“It was an excellent outing, fielding about 250 golfers for a smooth play on the course. I appreciate the golfers from across clubs who graced the occasion. This goes a long way in cementing Ruiru Golf Club’s stature as the emerging golf hub,” said Mwaura.

He added: “I pass my sincere gratitude to the golfers, fans and all the sponsor who have made today’s event a success.”

Tropikal Brands (Afrika) Limited was the anchor sponsor of the event that had attracted other brands such as regional lender KCB Bank, Communications firm Oxygene MLC, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) East Africa Breweries limited (EABL), Isuzu East Africa among others.