Royal’s Mugambi through to Johnnie Walker finals

One of the leading golfers at Royal Murwithania Mugambi beat a field of 189 to win the eighth Johnnie Walker Golf Series 2008/9 qualifier at Royal over the weekend.

“Whereas other golfers were suffering in the rain and somewhat muddy conditions on the 10th and 11th fairways, I was comfortable since I am used to these conditions where I come from in Meru,” Mugambi said.

The handicap four teed off late in the afternoon, and he cruised through the first nine holes on two-over gross for a total of 18-stable ford points.

On the inward nine, Mugambi came out blazing firing a level par back nine for 20 stable ford points and a total of 38 points and the victory.

Mugambi beat handicap 18 Amin Premji on count back whilst Subin Parikh was third on 37 points. Karim Pasani was fourth on 36 points and Subash Ganatra was fifth also on 36.

Veteran sportsman Harilal Shah was sixth also on 36 points. Ken Wamae posted a brilliant 37 points for the top guest prize on a very difficult golfing day.

Third time in a row

Mugambi now leads 11 qualifiers from the Royal Nairobi Golf Club to the Grand Finale of the Johnnie Walker Golf Series which for the third time in a row will be held at Royal. Speaking after his victory, Mugambi said he will strive to be the first player since 2005 to qualify for the Johnnie Walker Classic.

The King of Royal, Josiah Kogo, who made it to the Johnnie Walker Classic in Beijing China in 2005, could only manage 32 points on Saturday after playing most of his round in pounding rain.

Qualifiers

The complete list of qualifiers now includes Murwithania Mugambi, Zubin Parikh,  Benjt Raymakers and Nadeem Alibhai in Division A; Amin Premji, Karim Pisani and Darshan Mistry in Division B and Subash Ganatra, Harilal Shah and Martin Mbugua Division C. Terry Kungu made it into the qualifiers list via a rule that allows the top lady to qualify in the event that a lady does not qualify in the top ten. Ken Wamae claimed the guest prize on 37 points.

Meanwhile the 36-hole Manchester Salver in Eldoret, a Kenya Data Networks Golfer of the year event was washed out at the nine-hole Eldoret Golf Club when River Sosian bust its bunks flooding holes number one through to number five.

According to the KGU Chairman David Nyakango, the 2008 Manchester Salver has consequently been cancelled and no KDN Goty points will be awarded.

“Unfortunately, the players did not even get to play the first 18-holes and we therefore can not even award points based on that first round. We have therefore decided to cancel the event,” he said.