Home player Nandwa shines at Railway Club

Alfred Nandwa follows the flight of his tee shot from the second tee during Kenya Amateur Matchplay championship at Muthaiga Golf Club on June 20, 2014. He emerged the winner during the Railway Invitational tournament on Sunday. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  Larry Ngala

Reporter

NMG Sport

What you need to know:

  • Nandwa, who shot level par 72 on Saturday’s first round, had a shaky first nine in Sunday’s closing round after picking up a double bogey on the par three-sixth.
  • Samuel Njoroge shot 73 and 72 for 145 to claim the runner-up prize.
  • George Felix formerly completed a 1-2-3 finish for the hosts with a two rounds total of 75 and 71 for 146 to take home the third prize.
  • Royal Nairobi’s Dennis Saikwa won the first round gross on 73.

Five birdies at the back nine saw home player Alfred Nandwa post a one-shot victory in the Railway Invitation, a Kenya Golf Union (KGU) Golfer of The Year tournament at the par 72 Kenya Railway Golf Club course on Sunday.

The off scratch Nandwa, who shot level par 72 on Saturday’s first round, had a shaky first nine in Sunday’s closing round after picking up a double bogey on the par three-sixth.

“I had an awful shot at the sixth and putted badly, but I pulled up my socks at the back nine to ensure the Cup stays at home,” said Nandwa who also bogeyed the fourth and seventh.

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It was at the back nine where Nandwa managed to roll in birdies at the 10th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 16th with only a bogey at the 17th for four under and his second level par 72 for a total of 144 to beat clubmate Samuel Njoroge by one shot.

WIN BY SEVEN SHOTS

Njoroge shot 73 and 72 for 145 to claim the runner-up prize. George Felix formerly of Golf Park, now a member at Railway, completed a 1-2-3 finish for the hosts with a two rounds total of 75 and 71 for 146 to take home the third prize.

Royal Nairobi’s Dennis Saikwa won the first round gross on 73 and the second round gross went to Mike Kisia of Vet Lab Sports Club.

In the handicap section (nett), Eldoret’s Aaron Kitur carded 71 and 69 to win by seven shots from Railway’s Simon Mbithi and Edwin Murungi on 147.

The two nett rounds winners were Noah Winja of Nyanza on 70 nett and Railway’s green keeper Joseph Murungi with 73 nett.

Kenya Golf Union vice chairman Richard Wanjalla said the union may be forced to change the method of earning Goty points to improve the game’s standard.

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