James Kinga drives a shot during the KCB East Africa Golf Tour at the Thika Sports
Club on October 19, 2024.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The four-ball of Emma Gachomba, Ann Kariuki, Judy Waihenya, and Eunice Muthemba returned a combined score of 147 points to emerge as the overall team winners of the 20^th leg of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour at the par 72 Thika Sports Club on Saturday evening.

The event, graced by 220 golfers, saw the team of Liz Mocheche, Walsh Irungu, Wayne Cook, and Ian Irungu return a combined score of 142 points to be named the second-best team at the lush 18-hole course.

Commenting on the team’s performance after their victory, Gachomba said: “We formed the group a few days before the tournament. Our aim was to play together and register a win to get a chance to participate at the tour’s grand finale. I am proud of each member of the team for putting up a spirited fight in an event that was very competitive. After today’s victory, we will go back to training in preparation for the grand finale.

Handicap 7 Sam Njenga had a stellar performance on the fairway, the experienced golfer managed to return an impressive 41 Stableford points to be crowned the overall winner of the day.

David Karuma, who plays off handicap 9, was also superior on the course. He returned 38 Stableford points to bag the men’s winner award while Dr. Lucy Wanjiru, who plays off handicap 36, returned 41 points to clinch the lady winner award.

Allan Kirui, an avid golfer, who plays off handicap 21, returned 38 Stableford points to scoop the staff winner award, beating handicap 12 Peter Mwaura who returned 37 points to emerge second. Timothy Muita (Handicap 28) on the other hand returned 40 points to win the guest winner award.

Jesse Kirunga (Handicap 36), a junior golfer, who showed immense potential, won the junior’s category with 40 points. Charles Musungu won the longest drive award in the men’s category while L. Apukey claimed it in the ladies section.

In a bid to expand the game, KCB hosted a juniors’ golf clinic on Sunday at the same venue and a tree planting exercise in line with the Bank’s sustainability agenda – further solidifying its commitment to environment conservation efforts.

Jacob Murimi in action during the tournament.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The first edition of the Shujaa Memorial Parent and Child Golf Tournament concluded on Sunday 20^th October at the Muthaiga Golf Club after an impressive turnout in the tournament that encourages parents to team up with their children for a round of golf. Registration closed two weeks before the tournament as it was over-subscribed with more than 257 entries.

Muthaiga Golf Club’s Team Reel of Dr.Bhupinder Reel and his son, 12-year-old Joven Reel who plays in the US Kids Tour emerged the winners with 38 points followed by the team of George Wainaina and Abby Wainaina with 35 points, and  Murimi Gatu and Robert Gatu also with 35 points.

The Junior Girls winner with 42 points was  Kanana Muthomi, followed by Princess Thai Kavore with 37 points.

Joven Reel won the Junior boys category with 46 points.

The tournament in memory of Shujaa Kariuki Kavore, who holds the record of the youngest hole-in-one player at Muthaiga Golf Club. The game is also used to raise awareness of chronic children’s diseases.

Brianna Ngechu 12-13 years category observed that  “my experience was good even though I didn’t play that well, me and my dad pushed until the end and we had fun together. I find playing with my dad fun, even though we argue on the course as players, we still always manage to have fun together.”

One of the parents, Simon Kago said  “It was an amazing time playing with my daughter, it is so important to play with her, to bond, I would rather spend an afternoon on the course with her to know each other more than we go for a 30-minute lunch. The time spent playing golf is amazing. The juniors are amazing, we had a competition, my daughter Brianna against Simaloi Mbeya and her dad Peter Brooks. They actually beat us, the children’s skills are getting better, more horned and prepared to play tournaments, and tournaments like this are what makes it special”

Simaloi Mbeya, 13-14 years category said  “When I’m playing with my dad, I feel like we are playing for the fun of it, we joke around and get to enjoy the game, and it is very nice to add to your relationship with your parent”

“When shujaa did a hole-in-one, it encouraged more golfers to achieve more things in golf to get ahead”

“I have played with Shujaa a few times, and when he got a hole-in-one in hole five which is a tricky hole, it inspired me to get better as he got a hole in one in hole five which is a tricky hole that I hope to get a hole-in-one also one day,” added 13 years old Justin Ngeera.

Shujaa’s father, Kavore Kariuki played alongside his daughter, Princess Kavore who finished second behind Kanana Muthomi in the Junior girls’ category

Princess Thai Kavore, 11 years old “Shujaa inspired me to play golf by helping me go to the range and helping me improve my swing so that I can be a good golfer”