Lifestyle Estates Head of Sales, Rawlings Omwansa (left) presents the overall prize to Patrick Gakure (center) the winner of Kiambu Golf Club Captain (Caesar Mugo) right, November 9, 2024.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Home golfer Patrick Gakure was all smiles after claiming the 2024 Captain Caesar Mugo prize at the nine-hole Kiambu Golf Club layout over the weekend.

The go-lucky Gakure returned an aggregate score of 71 points to outshine the 312 golfers who graced the two-day meet.

The weeklong tournament was sponsored by Britam, Lifestyle Estates, Bustani, Grayson, Omega Opticians, Max Healthcare and Medipoint.

Others were, NCBA, Windsor Motors, Eabl, NB, Radar Security, and Friends of the Captain among others. 

Friday’s winner, Njogu wa Njoroge, emerged as the overall second winner to close with 70 aggregate points.

Gakure’s pursuit of greatness was spurred by superb drives off the deck with 90% fairway hits, getting onto the greens on regulation, single or two

putts, picking four pars, nine bogeys, and three double-bogeys to secure the win.

“My strength was in my tee shots that were straight and quite long. I managed to sink difficult putts without a fuss,” said Gakure.

The overall lady winner prize was won by former Kenya One, Wanjiru Karume, with an aggregate score of 70 points.

On Saturday, Leonard Mwangi, playing off handicap 21, was declared the Men winner with a score of 39 stableford points.

Handicap 18, Peter Njuguna, was the Men winner with 38 stableford points, followed by Senior Captain Mike Nyangi, who posted 35 stableford points.

The Captain of St Andrews-Ndumberi Golf Club, Steve Kiaro, who doubled up as the Captain’s horse, won the Gross prize with 74 points.

On a score of 35 stableford points, Jackie Gathondeki triumphed as the Lady winner, beating the eventual Lady winner second, Joyce Wanjiru, by a single point at 34 stableford points. Karume was the lady winner third with a similar score of 34 stableford points.

Francis Kungu topped in the Subsidiary category with 33 stableford points. In second place was Joseph Mwariri with 32 stableford points.

The Guest Men winner prize was won by MK Njuguna, playing off handicap 8, with a score of 37 stableford points. Winning the Guest Lady’s prize was Jessica Kimathi, with a score of 28 stableford points.

Leading the Sponsors was Paul Waweru as the Corporate winner with 32 stableford points. Davies Mukuria came in second with 31 stableford points.

Among the Friends of the Captain, O Gathara won with 34 stableford points, playing off handicap 12, beating Patrick Ngari on countback to Friends of the Captain second.

In the Nines Men’s category were the First Nine Men winner, Professor GN Manguria, with 21 stableford points, and JN Ikonya won the Second Nine Men winner prize with 20 stableford points.

The First Nine Lady winner prize was won by Carol Maina, with 17 stableford points. Jane Waweru won the Second Nine prize with 20 stableford points.

Mike Ngene won the Longest Drive Men prize, while Joyce Wanjiru won in the ladies’ division.

Senior Dr Paul Murumba and Joyce Wanjiru, were Nearest to Pin Men and Lady prize winners, respectively.

Handicap 16, GG Waburi won the Former Captain’s prize with 34 stableford points.

Only two two-clubs were recorded by elite golfer Michael Karanga and Dr Murumba, each winning 30 golf balls.

James Kinga drives a shot during the KCB East Africa Golf Tour at the Thika Sports
Club on October 19, 2024.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The four-ball of Emma Gachomba, Ann Kariuki, Judy Waihenya, and Eunice Muthemba returned a combined score of 147 points to emerge as the overall team winners of the 20^th leg of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour at the par 72 Thika Sports Club on Saturday evening.

The event, graced by 220 golfers, saw the team of Liz Mocheche, Walsh Irungu, Wayne Cook, and Ian Irungu return a combined score of 142 points to be named the second-best team at the lush 18-hole course.

Commenting on the team’s performance after their victory, Gachomba said: “We formed the group a few days before the tournament. Our aim was to play together and register a win to get a chance to participate at the tour’s grand finale. I am proud of each member of the team for putting up a spirited fight in an event that was very competitive. After today’s victory, we will go back to training in preparation for the grand finale.

Handicap 7 Sam Njenga had a stellar performance on the fairway, the experienced golfer managed to return an impressive 41 Stableford points to be crowned the overall winner of the day.

David Karuma, who plays off handicap 9, was also superior on the course. He returned 38 Stableford points to bag the men’s winner award while Dr. Lucy Wanjiru, who plays off handicap 36, returned 41 points to clinch the lady winner award.

Allan Kirui, an avid golfer, who plays off handicap 21, returned 38 Stableford points to scoop the staff winner award, beating handicap 12 Peter Mwaura who returned 37 points to emerge second. Timothy Muita (Handicap 28) on the other hand returned 40 points to win the guest winner award.

Jesse Kirunga (Handicap 36), a junior golfer, who showed immense potential, won the junior’s category with 40 points. Charles Musungu won the longest drive award in the men’s category while L. Apukey claimed it in the ladies section.

In a bid to expand the game, KCB hosted a juniors’ golf clinic on Sunday at the same venue and a tree planting exercise in line with the Bank’s sustainability agenda – further solidifying its commitment to environment conservation efforts.