Some of the players who took part in the Mumias Sugar Series’ Coast leg in action at one of the greens at the 18-hole Vipingo Ridge Golf Club.

By JAMES WAINDI

The Coast leg of the Mumias Sugar-sponsored Natural Sweetness Golf Series wound up in fantastic style at Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort on Saturday with 10 players qualifying for the finals.

Nyali Golf and Country Club’s Tawfiq Balala, playing off handicap nine,   led the list after playing six over 41 in the front nine followed by four over 40 in the back nine, including a birdie at the par three 17th for 81 gross and 72 nett, to beat Leisure Lodge’s Ronald Omariba (76nett) to second spot in the handicap category 6-10.  There was no winner in the handicap category 0-5 as there were no players in this category.

Stephen Wetzel (Leisure Lodge), 74 nett, beat Mombasa Golf Club’s Jabone Mbugwa, 76 nett, among players with handicaps11-15 while Vipingo Ridge’s Adriana Piccanotti, 75 nett and  Nyali’s Dave Mwangi, 76 nett, qualified in the handicap bands 16-20.  Among players with handicaps between 21 and 25 George Gathuri of Leisure Lodge  came up tops with 72 nett with Sue Williamson of Vipingo Ridge  in second position with 78 nett.

Lyn Owino of Nyali played a commendable 75 nett to win the handicap category 26-36 ahead of Peter Gathuri of Leisure Lodge (76 nett). The top two players in each category qualify for the finals to be held at Limuru Country Club on November 2, 2012.

There were winners in non-qualifying guest and staff categories. Jane Bosse  (72 nett) beat  Humphrey Maina (73 nett) to take the guest prize while Dorothy Rebere (72 nett) was the staff winner ahead of Hezron Wafula (77 nett).

“The course was magnificent and the greens  superb but the high humidity and occasional cross-winds made it difficult for some of us to post great scores,” commented Mumias Sugar Chief Executive,”  Peter Kebati.

Over 120 players turned up at the challenging Baobab Course of the Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort for the Coast qualifiers representing the host club, Mombasa Golf Club, Leisure Lodge and Nyali Golf and Country Club.    The next event will be at Mumias Golf Club on September 15, 2012.

The series is played over 14 legs involving 34 clubs and has already been held at Kenya Railways Golf Club, Karen Country Club, Thika Sports Club, Limuru Country Club, Sigona Golf Club, Muthaiga Golf Club,    Nakuru Golf Club, Kiambu Golf Club and Vetlab Sports Club. sac michael kors outlet sac michael kors outlet

George Mainye of Kisii Sports Club follows his tee shot during the 16th leg of Dasani Golf Club held at the nine-hole course on Saturday.

By CORRESPONDENT
Home player Charles Ondieki anchored his team to victory at the 16th leg of the ongoing Dasani Golf Gala at the nine-hole Kisii Golf Club and in the process booked a ticket to the tournament’s Grand Finale slated for September 29 at the Karen Golf and Country Club.
Ondieki playing off handicap 12 managed a brilliant score of 41 points, while handicap eight Charles Aburi contributed 38 points and Jeneby Onyambu playing off handicap 10 posted 35 points. Club captain Andrew Kombo playing off handicap 12 was the team’s weakest link on 31 points as the managed a team score of 114 points.
Speaking on behalf of the winning team, Aburi said they learned from their mistakes last year when the finished second and noted that they had put extra effort on the competition this year that saw them emerge comfortable winners.
“Last year we finished second in the same competition and it was a wake-up call for us, forcing us to return to the drawing board and here are the results today. I can say we have started our journey to Dubai today and we are going to dedicate at least three days practice in a week in the run-up to the Grand Finale, since we will not be going there to participate, but to compete. We have Dubai in our sites and we will give it our best shot,” said Aburi.
The second that finished the daylong event with a combined score of 108 points was made up of handicap 11 Cosmas Kebuse who posted 38 points, handicap seven George Mainye who contributed 36 points and handicap six Christopher Maato who who scored 34 points. Wycliff Ayienda playing off handicap 18 was the team’s weakest link on 22 points.
The reserve team from the Kisii leg consisted of J. Matara (39), G. Bichage (35), N. Netty (32) and J. Momanyi (23) on a team score of 106 points.
Handicap 26 Naftali Otuke from Vet Lab Golf Club was the tournament’s guest winner on 29 points, while Charles Aburi had the nearest to the pin and Kericho’s Virdee Gurdit playing off handicap three won the men’s longest drive prize.
Nicholas Netty won the first nine prize while James Matara won the second nine prize.
Speaking during the prize giving ceremony, George Nyandoro, the Kisii Bottlers’ General Manager Sales said the grand prize this year will see the winning team of four players travel to Dubai to attend the Grand Finale of the European Tour, the DP World Tour Championships at the Jumeirah Golf Estates. While in Dubai, they 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,” said Nyandoro who vowed to accompany members of Kisii Club to Dubai if they won the tickets.
Meanwhile Kisii Botllers will be hosting their annual golf day at the same venue on December 12. Dasani action now moves to Muthaiga Golf Club next week where eight more qualifiers would be picked for the finale. golden goose golden goose