From Left; Dr. Kennedy Nyakomitta, Director of Sales-DTB, Walter Juma-Malindi Golf Club Captain and Benjamin Wasige, Malindi Golf Club Chairman, during the fourth leg golf tournament at the Malindi Golf Club.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Walter Juma was crowned the winner of the fourth leg of the Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) ‘Bank with us’ golf tournament, which was hosted at the par 70 Malindi Golf Club in Kilifi County.

Playing off a handicap 17, the Malindi Club Captain undauntedly made good use of his current best form and exceptional fairways in a field of over 70 golfers from Malindi and its environs. This resulted in an impressive total of 42 points to claim the title, beating his closest challenger, Peter Pohland, on 39 points in net standings.

Mr. Juma’s victory was courtesy of 21 points at the front nine and 21 points at the back nine, crowning him the overall winner of the tournament. His closest challenger, Peter Pohland, had 16 points in the first nine and 23 points in the second nine.

“First, I would like to thank DTB for organizing such an excellent event here at our very own Malindi Golf Club. I am delighted to have emerged as the winner of the fourth golf tournament of this year’s DTB ‘bank with us’ golf edition,”

“My first nine was excellent, and so was my second nine. Our well-maintained Malindi Golf course enabled me to play competently. I intend to build on this win in more of the series and secure my title as the ultimate grand winner. We, as the Malindi Golf Club, look forward to more partnerships like these that help grow the golf sport in Malindi and promote golf tourism in the Kilifi region,”

On the other hand, playing off handicap 52, Njambi Wasige won in the Lady Winner Category with 40 points, overcoming her closest competitor, Nancy Gatwiri, who garnered 38 points in the Lady Runner-Up category.

Njambi carded 17 points at the front nine and 23 points at the back nine making her the Lady winner.

Meanwhile, James Mutua won in the Men Runners-up category with 37 points and the Staff Winner category was won by Dr. Kennedy Nyakomitta, Director of Sales-DTB, with 25 points. The 1^st Nine Winner was won by Enzo Zilettti while the 2^nd Nine position was won by Alloise Ogolla.

DTB’s ‘Bank with us’ golf series leverages the sport to get closer to its customers countrywide, as well as boost businesses by bringing services closer to its customers and offering networking opportunities both on and off the course.

So far, the 2023 DTB “Bank with us” golf series has attracted over 800 golfers in the tournaments held at Sigona, Kitale, and Nakuru Golf Clubs.

Last year, the Bank held five fruitful legs of the DTB ‘Bank with us’ golf competition in Kakamega, Mombasa, Kericho, Kisumu, and Eldoret regions.

Kiambu’s Elvis Muigwa poses with the winner’s trophy after being crowned the 2023 Kenya Junior Match Play Champion the Sigona Golf Club.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Elvis Muigwa From Kiambu Golf Club is the winner of the 2023 Kenya Junior Match Play Championship after beating Mikael Kihara 8 and 7 in the final played at the Sigona Golf Club.

Muigwa was aggressive from the first tee and was already 5 up at hole seven, having won five consecutive holes following an impressive three straight birdies at holes four, five, and six and a level par at hole seven. Kihara won hole eight after a level par and Muigwa’s bogey, but Muigwa finished the first nine 5 up.

Kihara won hole 14 to reduce the lead to 4 up, and then Muigwa quickly restored the lead to 5 up with a win in hole 15. A win at hole 17 gave him a good buffer at 6 up.

Muigwa’s path to the final saw him win 4 and 2 against Denis Gakuo in the first round followed by a 5 and 3 win over Muthusi Mukundi in the second round. He floored Trevor Ngotho 3 and 2 in the quarterfinal, then dispatched Krish Shah 4 and 3 in the semi-finals.

“I feel very good. I had confidence coming into the final, this not being my first. Last year I lost in the final, so today I said I’m going to try my best, and yeah, I have done it,” said Muigwa.

I didn’t play too badly, its only that Elvis brought his ‘A’ game and absolutely destroyed me, but we learn and we move. My round didn’t start so well so Elvis got away with it from the start. I tried to bring it back but unfortunately, he got too many birdies for me,” said Kihara.