GET IN: Limuru’s lady captain Sandra Mundia gestures as she follows her tee shot during the final Dasani Golf Gala qualifier at the par 71 course on Saturday.

By FIDEL ONO

Home player James Karanja posted the best score of the day to beat a large field of 182 players and in the process anchored his team victory at the last Dasani Golf Gala qualifier held at the par 71 Limuru Golf and Country Club on Saturday.

Karanja playing off handicap +1 amassed 41 points, while handicap 16 David Waiganjo contributed 36 points, while handicap 20 Cyrus Kamau scored 34 points and Robin Njenga playing off handicap 31 was the team’s weakest link as the ended the day with a team score of 11 points. In the process they booked an automatic slot to the tournament’s Grand Finale slated for September 29 at the Karen Golf and Country Club.

Speaking on behalf of the winning team, Cyrus Kamau said he was honored by the win and said they were not going to rest on their laurels until they win the finale at Karen.

“The course was tough, but we managed to conquer it and we believe we can have a repeat performance in Karen in the next two weeks,” said Kamau.

The second team managed a combined score of 109 points and also booked a ticket to Karen. The team was anchored by handicap 18 Sammy Muita Gathuri on 38 points, while handicap 13 David Mwindi contributed 36 points and Grace Kimeria playing off handicap 13 amassed 35 points. Handicap 20 Kenneth Mwaura was the team’s weakest link on 30 pioints.

The reserve team which was a single point shy of the runners-up was made of Steve Maina (39), Victor Gichuri (36), Ben Mbai (33) and Kamau Ngengi (23). They posted a combined score of 108 points.

Kenya Open’s course director Patrick Obath playing off handicap 17 won the guest prize on 37 points, while handicap 25 Nganga Kariuki was the junior winner on 32 points and Simon Mwangi won the nearest to the pin prize.

The men’s longest drive prize went to James Kariuki, while Stella Gathigia won the ladies’ longest drive.

This was the last qualifier in the Gala’s 18-leg series which went through Kiambu, Thika, Vet Lab, Royal, Railways, Karen, Sigona, Muthaiga, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyanza, Kisii, Nyali, Leisure Lodge, Nyeri, Machakos and Windsor.

Speaking during the prize giving ceremony, Reagan Otieno, the Nairobi Bottlers’ Key Account Executive 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 Maina. michael kors sac a dos michael kors sac a dos

Golfer in action on a putting green during the last Natural Sweetness event held at the Vipingo Ridge Golf Club a fortnight ago. Mumias will host the next leg on Saturday.

By FIDEL ONO

Mumias Golf Club, the home of the Natural Sweetness Golf Series,    will this weekend host three other clubs as some 65 players battle for 12 slots in the third last qualifier of the countrywide series.

With the other remaining events at Nyanza Golf Club and the Royal Nairobi Golf Club to come before the Mumias Sugar-sponsored series finals in Limuru early November, the heat is on for amateur golfers seeking to vie for final places.

“As the home of the Natural Sweetness Golf Series, we are proud to host the 11^th leg here at Mumias Golf Club and as usual, we have fabulous prizes for all handicap categories as well as our guests,” said Pamela Lutta, the MSC Director for Marketing and Corporate Affairs.

Players from Kitale, Kakamega and Eldoret will join  members to contest for 12 slots on offer with local professional, Dismas Indiza,  playing with new Chief Executive, Peter Kebati, just before noon to spice up the event that will tee off at 8.30 a.m.   Pamela Lutta will join the second three-ball at 8.40 a.m. while local captain H. Wafula will hit his first shot at 10.00 a.m.

“We welcome post entries by 9.00 a.m.  to allow for as many golfers as possible to participate  in our home leg of the series,” said Lutta.

The Mumias Sugar-sponsored golf series was launched under the aegis of the   Kenya Golf Union to spread the game of golf across the country with 14 clubs hosting players from a total of over30 clubs.  So far 10 events have been held at various clubs including Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort which hosted the last leg two weeks ago.

“The natural sweetness Golf series has done tremendously well to position our corporate brand as well as our products among key target markets,” said Mumias Sugar Chief Executive, Peter Kebati.

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 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, Kiambu Golf Club, Vetlab Sports Club and Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort.

Royal Nairobi Golf Club and Nyanza Golf Club will host host their qualifiers over the next few weeks paving the way for the grand finale at Limuru Country Club on November 2, 2012. sac michael kors sac michael kors