Dismas Indiza leads team to Vet Lab win

Long-hitting Dismas Indiza led his amateur team of Hiren Joshi, club vice chairman Martin Makundi and Karuri Waweru to a five points victory in the Safari Tour Pro-Am at the Vet Lab Sports Club at the weekend.

The four carded a combined score of 87 points, with Indiza himself posting two under par 39 points to take home Sh30,000, as the team of pro John Wangai with partners Sanjay Thakkar, Rakesh Lakhani and Solomon Atsiya carded 82 points to finish second.

Home pro Mathew Omondi with amateurs Racheal Kimani, Y. Asami and B. Sivadas were third on 80 points. For the individual amateurs, Ashish Khamar posted 40 points to win ahead of Benson Wangalwa and third placed Eddy Mogoa.

In the ladies section, Alice Kariuki carded 33 points to win by two from Beatrice Kamau while the nines went to Francis Kimathi on 21 and Hiren Joshi on 22 points.

Speaking during the prize giving ceremony, Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) chairman Peter Kanyago said the Safari Tour golf series was started with the aim of preparing the local professionals to play well in international events like the Kenya Open.

He said a total of 14 Kenyan pros and six amateurs will be allowed to play in the Kenya Open at Karen from March 15 to 17, 2019.

“It will be a great opportunity for our pros to play in a European Tour event and who knows what happens if one plays well," Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) chairman Charan Thethy thanked KOGL for starting the tour, saying it will help not only the Kenyans, but other pros from the East Africa region.

The pro-Am was a curtain-riser for the second leg of the Safari Tour whose first round was on at Vet Lab on Sunday.

At Ruiru Sports Club, James Muraguri posted an impressive 43 points made up of 20 and 23, to claim the overall title in the Mount Kenya Leisure Lodge Hotel tournament, where Mathew Wambugu on 40 points was the men winner.

James Njagu on 39 was second after beating Anthony Mwangi on countback. The ladies first prize went to Vatherine Wambui with 41 points, one better than Beatrice Waweru, while Pauline Mungai was third on 38.

The nines went to Ernest Waithaka with 21 and Patrick Wamae who carded 21 points. Machakos Golf Club’s David Milla was the guest winner with 36 points, while the sponsors were led by Gabriel Gathitu on 35 points.

At Kiambu, Githiari Njakwe fired gross 81 for an impressive nett 68 to clinch the Pro M.K. Mwaura @70 golf tournament.

Njakwe beat Githae Kimangi by one shot, while finishing in third place was Joseph Muchigi on 70 nett.

Michael Karanga, a grandson of M.K. Mwaura, took the gross with a score of five over par 77. The ladies prize went to Margaret Mbugua on nett 74, while Ken Kiburi on 70 was the guest winner in the event which attracted a field of 105 players.

The following is a summarised weekend golf round-up;

At Muthaiga; Eid ul Adha Golf Day; Overall winner; Julius Muteithia 40 points, Men Winner- Selest Kilinda 38 cb Anthony Irungu, Allan Hicks, David Ngugi. Lady winner- Rose Koome 35, cb Rita Njeru, Mary Maingi 33, Rose Kigwe 32. Guest- Veronica Kona 32, men guest- Silas Otiola 35, senior, Ben Wairegi 33.

At Thika; Syngenta Golf Day; Overall Winner- Walsh Irungu 44 points, men winner- Kim Nderitu 43, A. Karanja 41, Gathuri Wanjau 40. Lady- Rose Kangethe 42, Grace Ngamau 39. Guest Ndegwa Wahome 40, S.N.Munyua 37, Nines; Mercy Meru 22, Chege Muiruri 21.

At Railway: Morning Team Golf Day; Overall Winner- Tim Ruhiu 39 points, men winner- George Muraguri 36, Fauzi Mwanzi 35, cb Joseph Murungi, Njau Kungu. Gross Anthony Mwaura 26, Lady winner- Wanjiru Karume 37, Edith Kingori 35, Nines- Paun Ngugi 22, Kathinji Kanyarua 20, Guest- David Kimathi 35.

At Limuru; CBA Golf Day; Overall Winner Patrick Lavandhomme 42 pts, Men- Peter Waiyaki 40, cb Samson Kamau, T. Koigi 39, Lady winner- Wafari Gilruth 40, cb Irene Kimeu, Guest- Kimani Njane 39, Junior- Allan Ndichu 37. Staff- Charles Omondi 44 points.

At Eldoret; National Bank Golf Day; Overall winner- Jackson Kiprono 42(22, 20) pts, S.Sagoo39, Nelson Orgut 38 cb Linda Kangogo, Lukas Cheserek 37, Nines-Kiran Shah 20, A.Yaman 19 pts.