Eileen Belcher trophy winners celebrate during the prize giving ceremony.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Vet Lab’s Frankie Gichuru lead her Green Zone team to be crowned this year’s winners of the coveted Eileen Belcher trophy at the Vet Lab Golf Club at the weekend.

The team comprising recently crowned Kenya Ladies Open Amateur Matchplay Champion Mercy Nyanchama, Agnes Nyakio, Joyce Wanjiru, Wanjiru Karume, Belinda Wanjiru, youngster Chanelle Wangari and Frankie Gichuru who was the team captain, amassed 16 points to rule the roost at the 83^rd edition of the competition. The convenor of the group was Patricia Wangongu.

In Division B, the team captained by Rachel Ndei also of Vet Lab and leading another Green Zone side were feted with the Sinclair Quaich trophy after managing 13 points. Other members of the team were Dorcas Mukabi, Grace Wanjohi, Hellen Manyara, Mille Nyaga, Carol Kibanya and Lucy Maina.

Susan Koinange captained her Yellow Zone team to the Division C title, winning the Palmer Trophy with 14 points. Members of her team included Irene Kimeu, Nelius Kariuki, Jane Nzibo, Sarah Mkok, C. W. Mungai and Minie Mbue.

The 54-hole competition attracted a total of 96 lady golfers who played foursomes match play off-scratch in all three divisions. The two-day event which was originally known as the Inter District Cup has been a key local event for women’s golf as it attracts lady golfers from all over the country.

The cup was presented by Eileen in 1937 to encourage match-play between the districts. Belcher was the first Chairman of the Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) and over the years, the format has changed and is currently played in four zones. Each of the four zones is made up of several clubs forming a team of three pairs, with one reserve.

The scoring during the competition was two points for a match won and one point for a match halved. Since 2021 the clubs have been zoned in four categories, Red Zone (Royal, Sigona and Western Region), Green Zone (Vetlab, Windsor, Railway and Central Region), Yellow Zone (Muthaiga, Limuru and Coast Region) and Blue Zone (Karen, Golf Park and Rift Valley Region).
The winners of Division A whose players’ handicap index range from +5.0 to 14.0 were feted with the Eileen Belcher Trophy.

The Sinclair Quaich award is presented to the winners of Division B whose handicap index ranges between 11.3 and 20.4 and the Palmer Trophy is presented to winners of Division C whose handicap index range from 20.5 to 28.9. The competition is played off a scratch handicap.

The Sinclair Quaich was presented by Mary Sinclair, KLGU Chairman 1984. The Palmer Trophy was presented by Edward Palmer, in 1982, when his daughter Susan Harworth was KLGU Chairman. Edward Palmer is Eileen Belcher’s younger brother.

A golfer follows his tee during the NCBA Golf Series held at Limuru Country Club recently.

By AMANDA DAMARIS

NCBA Golf Series tournament resumes this weekend with the scenic Mombasa Golf Club set to host the latest leg on Saturday.

Preparations for the tournament are about to complete with over 150 golfers from the region expected to tee off at the historical golf course, also known as the “front course.”

The golfers will enjoy their play at the 9-hole course that overlooks the Indian Ocean and stretches of white sand beaches. It is one of the oldest golf courses in Kenya, founded back in 1911 and despite its scenic beauty, the course has a reputation among golfers as a tricky course.

The golfers will battle it out for slots to play at the series’ Grand Finale, where top finishers will win an all-expenses-paid trip to South Africa’s Fancourt Country Club.

Speaking ahead of the event, NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora stated:

“As we embark on the homestretch of the 2022 NCBA Golf Series we are pleased to be heading to the Coast this weekend. This follows the success of the previous thirteen events that have included junior tournaments. The weather at the Coast presents a different challenge for our golfers, making this outing one look forward to,” said Gachora.

“We are looking forward to taking on the challenge that the golf club offers and trust that all golfers will enjoy themselves on the course. We are delighted about the impact that this golf series has had so far as we have been able to reach over 3,000 golfers which is exactly what we aimed to achieve,” he added.

The Mombasa event follows the thirteenth leg held a fortnight ago at Limuru Country Club where home player Wambui Gitonga carded a round of 40 points to claim the win in the division one category.

Among the lady golfers, 12-year-old junior Mumbi Gatu, playing off handicap 31, carded a round of 35 points to fend off his challengers to emerge as the lady winner.