Ngoregamba Mwebesa, follows his tee shot during the Dasani Golf Gala at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club on Saturday

By KGG CORRESPONDENT

Hanvit Shah returned a massive 40 stable ford points at the Dasani Golf Gala Championship held at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club to lead his team to victory.

The handicap-18 veteran golfer played steady golf on the long and challenging Royal course to anchor his team of RB Shah, Milna Shah and Kirit Patel to victory with 111 team points. RB Shah scored 37 points, Milan added 34 points whilst Patel was the team’s weakest link with 26 points. Speaking at t he prize giving ceremony, Patel lauded his team promising to play better at the Grand Finale.

“My game was not great today, but luckily, the Dasani championship is a team event and my team mates pulled through for me,” Patel said. “At the Grand Finale, I will return the favour.” The all ladies team of Anne Mwalimo, Rajinder Jagdev, Savender Bhavra and Anastasia Chubi finished second with 110 points. Mwalimo led the team with 40 points, Jagdev contributed 38 points and Savender scored 32 points to bring the team’s total to 110. Seasoned lady golfer Chubi was the team’s weakest link with a lacklustre 30 points.

The team of Jay Sandhu, Vijay Sandhu, Daljit Bhavra and Lay Pallan finished third with 109 points anchored by Jay’s brilliant three-under par gross score of 38 points. Jay, a Kenya International amateur golfer was in his element, putting together a sting of pars around the par-72 layout at Royal.

“Our team was well prepared for this event and I am happy I was able to play so well today,” Jay said. “The course was tough but my swing was true!” Pallan played to handicap returning 36 points whilst Vijay contributed 35 points. Bhavra, a former KGU Chairman and Club Chairman at Royal was the team’s weakest link with a commendable 32 points that was crucial in securing the third place finish. Firm favourites who failed to shine include the club captain, Mugambi Muruithania, Ngoregamba Mwebesa who was dressed to kill on the course and the club chairman, Charles Kahura.

Among the individuals, Hardeep Sokhi finished top with 41 stable ford points beating Vitalis Ojode on count-back. Bernard Kiraithe was third with 40 points. Commending the winning individuals, Coca-Cola’s Peter Njonjo reminded them that the Dasani Golf Gala is a team event.

“There are three secrets to winning at the Dasani Golf Gala; the first is to play well, the second is to choose a good team and the third and most important criteria is to stay hydrated with Dasani water throughout your round,” Njonjo commented with a light touch. “Sokhi, Ojode and Kiraithe played well, stayed hydrated but choose the wrong teams!” A total of four teams from Royal qualified for the Dasani Golf Gala Grand Finale which will be held at the Karen Country Club on the 27th of August 2011. Winners at the Grand Finale will win a VVIP trip to the TOUR Championship, presented by Coca-Cola, at the East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. The Gala now moves to the Railway Golf Club. canada goose schweiz canada goose schweiz

Bipin Gathani tees off during last year's event at the Royal Golf Club.

By KGG CORRESPONDENT

Veteran golfer Jay Sandhu starts favourite as Nairobi hosts the 11th edition of Dasani Golf Gala series this weekend.

Sandhu will team-up with handicap 2 Sylvester Odunga, handicap 3 Josia Kogo and Kasamu Malonza, who plays off handicap 4.

According to Nairobi Royal Club captain Mugambi Murwithania, his members started forming teams as early as March because they anticipated stiff competition considering the many single handicapped players, who will be parading for the extravaganza.

“This is one of the events on the golfing calendar that has elicited a lot of interest in the golfing fraternity. Players are very excited about it and they all look forward to it. The ultimate prize is causing a lot of enthusiasm in the circles and some players are going an extra mile of playing in outside clubs after failing to qualify at their home clubs.”

Murwithainia, who tees off shortly after 1pm will team up with the Dasani team led by the Coca-Cola East Africa general manager Peter Njonjo, Joseph Kahuko and Gerald Kamau. Commenting of the Royal leg, Njonjo predicted a thriller and urged golfers to turn up in big numbers.

“The event has attracted a lot of attention and this makes it more enjoyable as many players come on board. The ultimate prize is an all expenses paid trip to the TOUR Championship at the East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, USA courtesy of Coca Cola,” he said.

The winners will get to play on some of the most prestigious golf course on the PGA Tour including the TPC SugarLoaf and the TPC SawGrass. They will also tour the headquarters of the Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta. The Nairobi Royal event has so far attracted over 150 golfers.

The event has already visited Kiambu, Limuru, Vetlab, Machakos, Muthaiga, Sigona, Thika, Windsor, Nyali and Nakuru.

From Royal the gala moves to the Kenya Railways Club, where members will compete for two qualification slots into the grand finale.

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