The winner of the Kenya Power Diani Beach Masters, Stephen Omondi, receives his prize from the Kenya Power Chief Manager in-Charge of Nairobi, Joseph Masibo.

By CORRESPONDENT

Home player Stephen Omondi, a handicap-6 golfer, is the winner of the Kenya Power Diani Beach Masters 2012. The locally based golfer, who learnt his golf at Leisure Lodge, took full advantage of his knowledge of the golf course to emerge victorious.

Omondi posted scores of 35 and 39 stableford points through the first and second rounds for a toal of 74 points. With this victory, Omondi claimed the coveted Diani Beach Masters Green Jacket.

Speaking at the prize giving ceremony, Omondi thanked Kenya Power for supporting the event. “I am very pleased to have won the first Kenya Power Diani Beach Masters, it is a real privilege and I want to thank Kenya Power for supporting this event,” he said. “With over 150 golfers in contention, competition was naturally fierce and am thankful to John Davies Junior the golf professional here at Leisure Lodge for his guidance and support.”

Congratulating the winners, Kenya Power’s Chief Manager In-Charge of Nairobi Region, Joseph Masibo, said he was pleased with the level of golf skill displayed at the championship. “As sponsors, we are pleased with the level of competition and comraderie displayed by all the participants of the 2012 Kenya Power Diani Beach Masters,” Masibo said. “We are pleased to have welcomed the top Kenyan Elite amateur golfers, the best talent from Tanzania, the elite junior golfers from Nyali and golfers from across the country.”

Ronald Omariba, also from Leisure Lodge, finished second with a total of 72 stableford points from both rounds. Omariba scored 37 points through the first round and 35 points in Round two. D’Assche Edouard, a handicap-11 golfer finished third with a total of 71 points, beating Charles Sire on count-back.

David Opati, the 2011 Diani Beach Masters champion had the best Gross rounds, finishing 2-over par gross in Round One and 4-over par gross in Round two for a gross total of 150. Joseph Waweru Karanja was gross runner up with gross rounds of 74 and 77 for 151 gross. Nelson Simwa finished a shot behind on 152 whilst CJ Wangai finished on 154 gross.

Frank Roman was the best placed Tanzanian with a combined stableford score of 69. The top Tanzanian lady golfer, Angel Eaton finished with 67 points. canada goose homme canada goose homme

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH: Event organiser Charles Gacheru gestures as his play mates Tawfiq Balala (left) stretches after a tough first nine and Daniel Nduva relaxes his legs during the 14th Kenya Power Diani Beach Masters at Leisure Lodge Golf Club.

By JAMES WAINDI (Chief Editor)

Leisure Lodge Golf Club caddie Ronald Omariba took an early lead after the first round of the 14^th edition of the Kenya Power Diani Beach Masters at the par 72 course in Diani.

Omariba who won the Dasani qualifier at the same venue three months ago, showed that he still had what it takes to win major tournament, when he posted 37 points to beat home player Mitesh Kumar on countback and claim the overnight leader’s tag on a sunny day.

Playing off handicap nine, Omariba started with a par on the first par four hole one, then sunk a birdie on the par five second hole and leveled par three hole five for a first nine score of 18 points.

In the second nine, Omariba leveled par three 12^th hole and par five hole 13, before sinking a birdie on the par three hole 15, then played pars on the par four 17^th and par five 18^th for a second nine score of 19 to beat Kumar on countback.

Kumar playing off handicap five settled for the second spot after the first day on a similar 37 points score (19, 18). Handicap 19 Silvia Kampa was third on 36 points (18, 18) after beating home player D. Edward and Lumatete Muchai from Mombasa Golf Club on count back.

Reigning tournament champion and the current leader of the Golfer Of The Year series David Opati had a false start in the competition as he could only manage 31 points after the first day. He conceded that it would be hard for his to retain the ‘Green Jacket’ given that the tournament’s format had been changed.

“I can say my chances of retaining the Diani Beach Masters this year are very slim, because last year it was a Kenya Golf Union event and the format of play was medal. This year it is not a KGU event and the format of play has changed to stableford and going with my handicap of +3 it would really be tricky for me to perform well,” said Opati, a member of the national team.

The competition continues today and anything could be possible going with the tradition of the tournament. The junior players can also not be ruled out as they are more than capable of turning round the tables. maillot de foot pas cher maillot de foot pas cher