Elvis Muigua poses with the winners trophy

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Elvis Muigua of Kiambu Golf Club had a fantastic final round of 69 gross in the 2023 Goldfields Trophy to emerge the champion with an overall gross of +6. Muigua was tied second going into the final round with a score of +9 while the overnight leader Godfrey Nsubuga of Mehta Golf Club-Uganda had a 6 shot lead with a +3 score. Muigua picked 6 birdies on the first 9 of the final round in holes, 1, 2, 5,6,7 and 8 and got pars on the remaining 3 holes. The second nine was not as glorious as the first. He dropped 4 shots on 4 holes but managed to birdie the last hole to finish the nine on +3 resulting in the final round score of 69 gross (-3). The win assured him an amount of Kshs 81,000 courtesy of the Co-Sponsors NCBA Bank and Fly Skyward Express.

Godfrey Nsubuga had a tough run in the final round producing a score of +9 and in overall settled for the runner-up position together with Nandi Bear’s Club Elly Barno on +12. The two got an amount of Kshs 40,500 each. John Timbe of Nyali Golf & Country Club was a close fourth with a +14 score winning Kshs 24,200.

The Kenya Golf Union (KGU) Chairman, Mr. Philip Ochola, lauded Elvis for the win and urged the club to strengthen its junior programs to ensure that players from the club and the region feature as champions for the series. He also appreciated the sponsors-NCBA Bank and Fly Skyward Express, who gave their support and ensured the success of the tournament. The Chairman of the Club Dr. Catherine Aura appreciated KGU for the inclusion of the tournament in the KAGC Series and ensuring that Kakamega is featured on the national space.

Present also during the presentation was the Fly Skyward Commercial Manager, Mr. Kelvin Mwasi expressed the airlines continued support of golf and appreciated the tournament administrator and referee Bernard Mwaura for ensuring that the event was held to a global standard. He further informed the golfers of the airline’s presence in the town and the various destinations that the airline operates in including Mombasa, Nairobi, Malindi, Lamu, Ukunda, Eldoret, Lodwar and Kakamega.

Action next weekend is at Nyeri Golf Club for the Mt. Kenya Championship that starts on Friday, 6^th July 2023.

KAGC Player Ranking and Points

1.    KARANGA, Michael-Kiambu Golf Club- 670

2.    LEJIRMA, John-Kenya Railway Golf Club- 429

3.    MUIGUA, Elvis-Kiambu Golf Club- 304

4.    MAARA, Dennis-Limuru Country Club- 238

5.    OMOLLO, Ebill-Vetlab Sports Club- 224

6.    NSUBUGA, Godfrey-Mehta Golf Club- 192

7.    MULAMA, Sammy-Golf Park Golf Club- 179

8.    BALALA, Adel-Vipingo Golf Resort- 136

9.    RONO, Josphat-Golf Park Golf Club- 111

10. LEMINGANI, Raphael-Golf Park Golf Club- 92

KAGC Club Trophy Ranking and Points

1.    Golf Park Golf Club- 504

2.    Kiambu Golf Club- 468

3.    Vetlab Sports Club- 416

4.    Kenya Railways Golf Club- 186

5.    Muthaiga Golf Club- 170

Harun Ndegwa is feted after winning the DTB Golf Day at Kitale Golf Club.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Harun Ndegwa was crowned the winner of the second leg  of the Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) ‘Bank with us’ golf tournament which was hosted at the par 73 Kitale Golf Club, in Trans Nzoia County.

The Kitale home player, Mr. Harun, playing off a handicap 17 in the first division, made good use of his current best ability and the exceptional fairways. This resulted into an impressive total of 40 points to claim the title, beating his closest challenger, Dr. Richard Kiptum, on 35 points net standings.

Mr. Ndegwa’s victory was courtesy of 22 points at the front nine and 18 points at the back nine, crowning him the overall winner of the tournament.

“First, I would like to thank DTB for organizing such an excellent event. I bank with DTB Kitale and the good services I receive motivated me to give my best at the game. I am delighted to have emerged as the winner of the second tournament of this year’s DTB ‘bank with us’ golf edition,”

“The Kitale Golf course was well maintained with good fairways that enabled me to play competently to beat my opponents. I am looking forward to participating in more of the series and securing my title as the ultimate grand winner.” said Harun.

On the other hand, playing off handicap 36, Josephine Njeri won in the second division with 43 points overcoming her closest competitor, Ruth Kae who garnered 39 points.

In the division two category, Njeri carded 21 points at the front nine and 22 points at the back nine. Meanwhile, the Longest Drive Men was won by Philip Shiharsy with the Longest Drive Lady’s category going to Joyce Weche. The Nearest to Pin position was won by Pradip Shah.

DTB’s ‘Bank with us’ golf series leverages on the sport to get closer with its customers countrywide, as well as boost businesses by bringing services closer to its customers and offering networking opportunities both on and off the course.

Last year, the Bank held five fruitful legs of the DTB ‘Bank with us’ golf competition in Kakamega, Mombasa, Kericho, Kisumu and Eldoret regions.