CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: David Opati in action at a past event. He still lead’s the GOTY series’ standings.

By DISMAS ONYANGO

Amateur golfer Nadeem Alibhai needed a sudden death play-off to beat Kenneth Bollo  and win his first GOTY event of the season, the Karen Challenge at the Karen Country Club after they both tied on 219 points.

Little known Bollo looked destined for the title after stunning an experienced field that included Golf of the Year Series leader David Opati and Nelson Simwa. He recorded 78 gross in first round, posted 70 in round two and wrapped up his sterling performance with 71 in the final round at the 54 holes Challenge.

It was not easy sailing for Bollo as he tied on 219 gross with Alibhai forcing organizers of the event to apply sudden death rule to determine the ultimate winner.

Albhai, the second round aggregate winner, scored 75 gross in round one and added 69 and 75 in next two rounds for the tally of 219 that placed him in second position.

Golfer of the Year (GOTY) Series leader Opati beat Nelson Simwa on yet another count back to finish third overall during the two days competition.

Opati managed 75 gross in round one and added 76 and 71 in next two rounds to end on 222 while Simwa posted 75, 75 and 73 gross to occupy fourth position.

The competition was so tight that John Muiruri needed count back to beat Musa Kisia to the nett winner trophy after the two had tied on 211 points.

Muiruri recorded 73 nett in first round and then added 67 in second round before wrapping up the show with 71 in the third round.

Kisia started off well in round one with impressive 69 but dropped to 70 and 72 in next two rounds on way to finishing second in the tournament which was one of the most competitive in the ongoing GOTY Series.

Gross winner Bollo proved a point after he posted 213 points (76, 68, 69) to finish third overall in the nett ranking.

Anthony Murage came fourth on 215 (71, 73, 71) followed by N Chandaria on 216 (74, 69, 73) who beat N Alibhai (74, 68, 74) and M Lemoshira (70, 71, 75) on count back to finish fifth.

Karen Challenge was 13^th round of the GOTY events sponsored by Keringet Mineral Water and organized by the Kenya Golf Union.

The last five events are: Kenya Amateur Strokeplay Championships (October 20^th), Manchester Salver (November 3-4), Uhuru Shield (November 30 to December 1) and Nyali Open (December 15-16). michael kors site officiel michael kors site officiel

WELL OUT: Lady golfer Christina Andersen gets out of a bunker during the 17th leg of the Dasani Golf Gala held at the Muthaiga Golf Club on Saturday.

By CORRESPONDENT

Home player L. Murage steered his team to victory during the 17^th leg of the ongoing Dasani Golf Gala held at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club on Saturday.

Murage playing off handicap 19 anchored the winning team with an impressive score of 40 points, while handicap 26 C. Njuguna contributed 35 points to the team and H. Kinyua playing off handicap 24 amassed 34 points for a team score of 109 points, that earned them a ticket to the tournament’s Grand Finale slated for Karen Country Club on September 29. J. Karuri was the team’s weakest link.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Murage promised a better performance during the finale.

“The course was playing great today and I would like to commend the greens-keeper and his team for keeping the course in such a good standard. We played well today, but plan to play better at the finale,” said Murage.

The other qualifying group from Muthaiga was made up of handicap 13 J. Mugaa (37), handicap 12 C. Gikombi (33), and handicap twelve J. Mutethia (36) who managed a combined score of 106 points. Handicap nine J. Iracha  was the teams’ weakest link on 28 points.

The reserve team was made up of G Njogu (34), A. Wariri (36), K. Mathu (34) and R. Soin (26) on a team score of 104 points.

R. Gurnterett playing off handicap 14 won the guest prize on 37 points.

Speaking during the prize giving, Peter Njonjo the General Manager Coca Cola East Africa said the Muthaiga leg was the penultimate in this year’s series, with the last qualifying round at Limuru Country Club next weekend.

“We would like to thank you for the overwhelming participation with 171 golfers registered today. I would also like to commend the participation of the junior golfers who took the course today,” said Njonjo.

He added: “As you might be aware, through the Gala, we are supporting Junior Golf development to the tune of Ksh 300,000. In addition junior golfers participating in the gala this year are equally eligible for the grand prize. We believe this is one of the ways to nurture their interest in the sport.”

This year, the winning team at Karen will be rewarded with a memorable golfing trip abroad. They will travel to Dubai in November to attend the Grand Finale of the European Tour, the DP World Tour Championship at the Jumeirah Golf Estates all courtesy of Dasani.

The 2012 DP World Tour Championship will feature the players in positions 1 to 60 in The Race to Dubai. There they will get to see the crème de la crème of pro Golfers like Rory McIlroy, Rose Justin, Molinari Francesco, Ernie Els, Luke Donald & Lee Westwood – all of whom among the top 10 on the current Leader board. The 60 will be battling it out for a $ 1.3 Million winner’s cheque.

Dasani will also give the winners a bonus experience. While in Dubai, they will have the opportunity to play at some of the best golf courses in the region, which have in the past played host to leading players and tournaments. nike huarache femme pas cher nike huarache femme pas cher