AT STAKE: Coca Cola’s regional manager Peter Njonjo (centre) with Kenya Golf Union Chairman Alfred Kariuki (right) and Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) chairperson Anne Chubi pose with the Dasani Trophy during the launch of the Gala.

By JAMES WAINDI (Chief Editor)

Tic tok, tic tok. The 2012 Dasani Golf Gala Grand Finale is finally here, where one mega prize to be contested by 144 players.

The par 72 Karen Golf and Country Club will be the backdrop of the entire drama on Saturday, where the eventual winners, a team of four players, will land a grand prize of  travelling to Dubai to attend the Grand Finale of the European Tour, the DP World Tour Championships at the Jumeirah Golf Estates.

While in Dubai, the players will also have the opportunity to see Europe’s top 60 money earners on the 2012 Order of Merit battle it out for a 1.3 million winner’s cheque. In addition, they will play at some of the best golf courses in the region, including the Dubai Creek Course and the challenging Faldo Course at the Emirates Golf Club, a course designed by former world number 1 and six-time major Champion Sir Nick Faldo.

Their home club will also have the privilege of retaining the Dasani Cup until the next series.

Players started trickling in the City as early as Wednesday to shape up for the finale with majority of them using the eve of the tournament as their preferred day to feel the Karen course.

This year, the Gala had 18 qualifying rounds, with each qualifier producing eight players for the finale. It visited Kiambu, Thika, Vet Lab, Windsor, Railway, Royal, Karen, Sigona, Nyanza, Eldoret, Nyali, Leisure Lodge, Kisii, Nakuru, Nyeri, Limuru, Machakos and Muthaiga.

Among the qualifiers were caddies, clergies and lady golfers, just to show how the finale would be thrilling.

According to Karen Club officials, the course is in a perfect conditions but the green are a bit fast and would challenge the players.

This is how the teams qualified:

Kiambu: Timothy Kihara, Eliud Kuria, Newton Mwangi and Thomas Kimari; Col. Julius Githiri, Julius Githiri, Joseph Biriri and Mofart Kanyeria.

Thika: Dr. Joseph Karanja, Andrew Muriuki, Patrick Karanja and Andrew Kimani; Edwin Kiarie, John Komo, Njuguna Kahoya and Jimmy Mbugua.

Vet Lab: Ochieng’ Abekah, Michael Kinuthia, Sankale ole Kantai and Martin Mukundi; John Kisolo, Njani Ndiritu, Francis Mwangi and Simon Mbugua.

Windsor: Paresh Shah, C. V. Shah, Nishit Haria and Gohil; Kapoor Rajput, Nashir Abdullah, Ali Merali, N. Kassam.

Railways: James Mburu Muiga, Robert Maina, Frank Kaniaru and David Mbatia; Nassir Abbas, D. Kaburi, H. Hasanli and G. S. Padam.

Nyali: Pia Swatton, Perviz Barnsley, Sumali Jayasinghe and Clive Barnsley; Lyn Nicholls, J. Oluoch, John Riley and M.Lariche who posted a combined score of 110 points.

Eldoret: Mathew Kioko, James Siahi, Simeon Kurgat and Rael Kurgat; Tanvi Shah, Ayush Jethwa, Nauas Sagoo and Deeva Aggarwal.

Nyanza: Samuel Nyamweya, Geoffrey Obol, George Odongo and Lucas Nyambogo; H. S. Sokhi, J. C. Lee, Sam Deya and Wycliff Nyambogo.

Machakos: Collins Kaloki, Benard Mungata, Justice Matei and Charles Nzuki; Fred Kilonzi, Dee Kivuva, Jackson Nzuki and Larry Wambua.

Kisii: Charles Ondieki, Charles Aburi, Jeneby Onyambu, and Andrew Kombo; Cosmas Kebuse, George Mainye,Chris Maato and Wycliffe Ayienda.

Muthaiga: L. Murage, C. Njuguna, H. Kinyua and J. Karuri; J. Mugaa, C. Gikombi, J. Mutethia and J. Iracha.

Limuru: James Karanja, David Waiganjo, Cyrus Kamau and Robin Njenga; Sammy Muita Gathuri, David Mwindi, Grace Kimeria and Kenneth Mwaura.

Leisure: Wilson Atuka, Charles Sire, Ronald Omariba and Pauni Gwerenya; Gansham Kumar, Stephan Wentzel, Sabina Funk and Mike Aussi.

Royal Nairobi: Sarah Hoare, Lucy Awiti, Florence W Maina and Anne Marie Vellecop; Jessica Kang’s, Wanja Kimani, Gatere Gathiga and Kim S. Yoon.

Nakuru: Father Augustine Kipkemei, Father Paul Gitonga, Brother Francis Njoroge, Miriam Wanjiku; Alfred Nandwa, Charles Angwenyi, Stephen Mwangi and Mandip Sahota.

Karen: John Musunga, Lawrence Kiambi, F.G.Kariuki, David Kiambi; Anthony Murage, Anthony Gacheru, Anthony Mogere and Clive Davies.

Nyeri: Eddy Karumwa, Benjamin Inoti, James Mathenge, Daniel Weru; J. Gichimu, J. Maina, S. Kamau and M. Wandera.

Sigona: Rachna Patel, Deep Shah, Shamil Patel, Haren Patel; Eddy Kimemia, David Murang’a, Jimmy Muthundo and James Njeke. maillot de foot 2018 maillot de foot 2018

This was part of the action at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club on Saturday.

By FIDEL ONO ( Writer)

A record field of  195  players teed off at Royal Nairobi Golf Club for the penultimate qualifying round of the Mumias Sugar Company-sponsored Natural Sweetness Golf Series on Saturday with  handicap  two Bo Ciera heading the list of winners after scoring 73 nett in the 0-5 handicap category. Youngster, Jonathan Chebukati (5), was the other low handicap qualifier three strokes back at 76 nett.

In the category of 6-10 handicappers, J. Ichangi beat G. Maina on countback as  both players  joined the party heading to Limuru in November;  they scored 70 nett. Oscar Ikinu hit one of the best scores of the day, 68 nett , to top the  category of  11-15 handicapped players,  two strokes better than fellow qualifier G.M. Njiiri who pencilled 70 nett.

S. Lokonyo and K. Pirbhai went through from a host of other players in the 16-20 handicap category, scoring 69 nett and 71 nett, respectively. N. Ooko  (69 nett) and S. Lakhani (71 nett) were the top performers  in the handicap 21-25 category.  Satish Shah and K. Vital concluded the list of 12 qualifiers from the Royal Nairobi Golf Club event with impressive scores of 67 nett and 68 nett, respectively in the handicap 26-36 category. They join another 140 players from across the country, who has qualified for the November 2, 2012 finals at Limuru Country Club.

Muthaiga’s Philip Kungu beat about 30 guests invited to the tournament to make away with the guest prize, having scored 69 nett ahead of E. Ouko (71 nett) and S. Karemu (71 nett) in second and third place, respectively.

Mumias Sugar Company Chief Executive, Peter Kebati, playing with single handicappers Ben Handa and Vice Captain Jack Okuku, as well as Victor Kidiwa took the staff prize with a respectable score of 71 nett. The final qualifier is scheduled for Nyanza Club on October 13, 2012.

“This was a really good turnout and goes to show how much our series has grown in one short year and become popular and is an encouragement to us as we head into the finals in Limuru,” said Kebati during the prize presentation ceremony.

The boss of the country’s leading sugar maker hinted that professionals may be invited to spice up the finals in Limuru but added that the details were yet to be worked out.

“We know that the professionals will add that little bit more flavour to our season-ender and are thinking of how we can have them involved in the finals,” he added.

The Natural Sweetness Golf Series was launched in March 2012 to take golf to over 30 clubs with events in 14 different venues countrywide. The series has already been to various clubs including Kenya Railways Golf Club, Karen Country Club, Thika Sports Club, Limuru Country Club, Sigona Golf Club, Muthaiga Golf Club,    Nakuru Golf Club,   Vetlab Sports Club,  Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort and  Mumias Golf Club.

The stroke-play 18-hole event   is open to all Confederation of Golf Unions (CONGU)-handicapped players in the following handicap categories: 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, 21-25 and 26-36.  Two players qualify from each handicap category.

The finals will be held at Limuru Country Club on November 12, 2012. canada goose pas cher canada goose pas cher