Sigona and Muthaiga team members pose for a joint photo with the trophy after winning this year’s Tannahill Shield at the Royal Club.

By DONALD WELLINGTON

Champions Muthaiga had a scare of their lives, but recovered to share the 90^th Tannahill Shield title with Sigona after the final round of this year’s tournament at the par 72 Royal Nairobi Golf Club yesterday.

Muthaiga who has dominated the tournament for the last 10 years, winning eight times out of a possible 10, were initially tipped to continue their dominance this year, but things turned out different and their dominance was almost checked as a late rally saw them save their blushes after a false start that saw them finish bottom on the first day.

Sigona and Muthaiga tied on a total of 42 points to lay their hands on the prestigious trophy in Kenya’s biggest Inter-Club showdown, referred to the Ryder Cup.
For Muthaiga, it was a fifth successive win to add to their previous dominance in the tournament, but in the last decade they have never had such a scare.
Sigona, on the other hand, wins the Tannahill for the second occasion since 1974 when their combined team with Vet Lab earned them the coveted trophy in awesome fashion.
Sigona had opened the first two rounds well and maintained a respectable placing to attain top honours in Tannahill for the first time in twenty-nine years.
Western Kenya chalked up 37 points to end their campaign in third overall position while Limuru who were well in contention on the last day yesterday dipped to fourth overall position. Last year, Limuru finished the event in third position.
Muthaiga’s captain, Henry Kiman attributed their comeback victory to cohesion and teamwork.
Sigona led the tournament on the first day, before surrendering the lead to Limuru after three rounds before recovering on the final day, but got caught by Muthaiga on the last day of thrilling event.
“On the penultimate day on Saturday we were a bit conservative to save on points but today (yesterday) we were just aggressive to win points so we were just attacking. When we started on Friday, we said we wanted to take the trophy back home and I am glad we did it for the fifth year running,” said Kimani.
Hosts Royal put up their worst in 40 years when they finished the event in unfamiliar 7th position. It was a bitter pill to for the hosts to swallow as the last time they won this tournament was in 2008.
Sigina and Muthaiga will share the trophy for 6 months each.
Sigona fielded MM Njoroge, George Mwaura, John Ndichu, Paul Kaguamba, Kabir Choda, Rajiv Shah, Deep Shah, A. Chandaria, Mohit Medirratta and Imraan Nanji.
Muthaiga’s team has the likes of Tanvir Sodi, Kavit Bhakoo, Neer Chandaria, John Gitonga, Bhavnish Chandaria, Rajesh Bhabra, Evans Vitisia, Kumar Dhall, Mwai Mbuthia and Ashwin Gidoomal.
In yesterday’s matches, Sigona blanked Windsor 8-0 and went on to defeat Mombasa 5-3.
Windsor found the going rough when Mombasa recovered to weallop them 0-8. Hosts Royal Nairobi defeated Limuru Country Club 6-2 while Muthaiga vanquished Limuru 8-0.
Muthaiga came out unscathed on the final day when they saw off Royal 6-2.
Karen lost 2-6 to Western Kenya while Railways beat Karen 6-2.  Western Kenya lost 5-3 to Railways in another match.
Royal Nairobi Chairman Zubin Parikh lauded the teams for incorporating juniors in their outfits. He thanked Kenya Golf Union (KGU) for supporting the tournament and added that it was exciting to see a record spectator turnout in this year’s event.
Royal’s Captain Jack Okuku was excited by the fact that teams played their hearts out and exhibited high standards of golfing.
“The going was really time and was determined at the very last minute. Limuru, Muthaiga and Sigona were all in contention going into the last day,” said Okuku. michael kors sac a dos michael kors sac a dos

Limuru Golf and Country Club chairman Yassin Awale (left) with unidentified Tannahill tournament officials follow proceedings during the second and third round of the Easter tournament at Royal club today.

By DONALD WELLINGTON

On the second day of the Dasani Tannahill Shield golf tournament, the trend of surprises and changes on the leader board continued. After a good start in the second round and the weather being picture perfect, the script for the afternoon was different and the weather almost wrecked havoc on the finishing putts for the teams.

After the end of the third round Limuru emerged leaders with 33 points. Having tied for second place yesterday the team upped the stakes and took a four-point ahead of joint second teams from Muthaiga and Sigona.

Limuru Captain Anthony Wangari was full of praise for his team and emphasized that they were always sure of challenging for the top spot. He also added that every team from the club brought out their best game and scored well in the morning and afternoon rounds. He also paid tribute to their junior golfer, Dennis Maara playing off handicap 3 for a solid game and beating more experienced golfers from Railways club.

Last year Limuru club finished third and the captain feels like this could be their year.

Anthony Wangari was quipped saying “The team should not lose its focus and start celebrating. Other teams are breathing down our necks and just like we have led today, tomorrow it’s still open to anyone’s gain”. He also added that weather permitting the course has been great and the same should continue into the last day.

Anthony Wangari thanked Limuru Country Club for the support to ensuring the team practiced consistently and as a unit and ensuring the team’s continued participation at the Tannahill tournament. He also extended a special mention to Nairobi Royal Golf club for their invitation saying they don’t take this lightly by any means.

Second-placed Sigona Golf club captain, Gakuo Ndirangu said that slipping down to second place is not such a bad showing and said they still have a shot at the title tomorrow. Having not won the title in the last twenty-nine years, the last day’s action will have to count. He attributed the team’s good showing on the rookie team comprising of George Mwaura (handicap 3) and Kabir Choda who got maximum points 12 out of 12 possible ones.

The captain also attributed the team’s good showing to the teamwork, players switched to play for top honours. Sigona Club is also the defending champion for the Kenya Golf league. He also expressed optimism that the weather will not wreck havoc to their chances and the course doesn’t make it too difficult to replace Limuru at the top at the end of the fourth round tomorrow. Sigona club finished with 29 points a four-point difference between them and Limuru.

Joint-third Muthaiga made a huge comeback taking 15 points in the morning but running out of steam to finish with 5 points for the third round in the afternoon. Rajesh Bhabra the Team captain believed the team gave their best and the loss in the afternoon was to Sigona and Western clubs. He still believes it could either way tomorrow and hoped the team’s cohesiveness and gelling will see them retain the shield by the end of the fourth round.

Rajesh Bhabra said, “I still believe we’re in this tournament and remain the team to beat if we finish strongly and score good points tomorrow. I also the feel the course has been playing long and the greens have been slow but that is no excuse since it affects all teams as well”.  He hoped to give the team a good hand tomorrow once they retain the title. The team finished with 28 points.

Andrew Chelogoi the team manager from Western was also elated by his team’s performance being within 5 points off the leaders, Limuru. He credited the team’s performance to rigorous selection of the team while using GOTY rankings. He also thanked the junior golfers Abram Abdullahi and Joseph Watunu for a good game going to the final round tomorrow.

He added that, “the team has had challenges training as a unit due to the expansiveness of the selection and clubs participating but that has also seen a rigorous selection process meaning we brought the best players from that circuit”.

The western team is represented by 5 clubs from Kisumu, Eldoret, Nandi Bears, Kericho and Kitale. Andrew expressed optimism that the team will fight down to the last putt for top honours and shall not leave anything to chance tomorrow.

Tomorrow the Dasani Tannahill comes to a close with the fourth and final round teeing off at 7.30 a.m. and teams expected to finish before 1p.m. michael kors site officiel michael kors site officiel