Royal Nairobi end long wait for Tannahill Shield

Royal Nairobi Golf Club has recaptured the Tannahill Shield after a six-year wait.

The hosts were superlative during yesterday’s final round, leading from start to the end to beat Limuru 6-2 and Karen Country Club with a similar margin for 12 points and a total of 49.

Defending champions Muthaiga who have dominated the tournament for years finished second on 39 points.

“It feels so great winning back the Shield after six years. Our top two pairs of Jay Sandhu and Quram Bhatti and Bo Ciera and Eric Ooko were very strong and this strengthened the rest of the team,’’ said Royal professional Charan Thethy.

“Royal has severally come closer to winning the title only to mess up on the last day,” Thethy added.

Thethy said they started their preparations early this year and did not chance with  their pairings. “We will keep on bringing in new players until we have a strong base,’’ he added.

WINNER TAKES ALL

During the hotly contested final, Royal’s pair of Eric Ooko and Bo Ciera who won all their matches, beat Limuru’s top pair of John Karichu and Paul Muchangi 3-2.

Jatinder Thethy and Joseah Kogo posted a 2-1 victory over Francis Kimani and Dennis Maara while Quram Bhatti and Jay Sandhu were 5-4 winners against Lesaan Shani and Anthony Gichuki.

Youngsters’ team of Peter  Muigai and Joshua Ichangi lost 1-2 to Limuru’s Gakuo macharia and John Gathu.

In the Royal and Karen match, Ooko and Ciera won 2-1 against Rodney Waruhiu and Justus Njogu, while Thethy and Kogo were 4-3 victors over Scott Davey and Jimmy Scott.

The other Royal points came from Jay Sandhu and Quram Bhatti who beat  veteran golfer David Farrar who was playing his 50th event. Farrar teamed up with Anthony Murage.

Farrar and Murage went down 2-3 but Karen’s pair of Clive Davis and Sunny Mangat won 4-3 against Muigai and Ichangi.

It was a bad day for Muthaiga who lost to both Western and Sigona with the same margin of 2-6 to finish the final day with four points for a total of 39.

“We actual played well save for the third round on Saturday and today (yesterday),” said Muthaiga Golf Club captain Bhavnish Chanmdaria.

“This gives us an opportunity to plan for the future. Hopefully, we will return strongly next year.” Karen were third with 34 points. Karen were square with Limuru 4-4 but lost to Royal.

This year, for the first time in as many years, the event attracted a big following not only from Royal members but other golf followers from as far away as Western Kenya and Coast.