Gichara beats big field to clinch KPA title

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) golf series champion Pauline Gichara (right) receives a golf bag from KPA chairman General Joseph Raymond Kibwna at Nyali Golf and Country Club on November 10, 2018. PHOTO | COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • Taking the men’s first prize was newcomer Daniel Ondeng’a who posted 39 points to beat Suresh Hirani, Walter Starzoch and Harpreet Sagoo on countback. The three took the second, third and fourth prizes respectively
  • Leading the staff was Charles Odoo who combined 19 and 18 for 37 points to win by a point from Teresia Odoo as Japheth Obonyo on 30 was third. Fiona Mbandi and Yobesh Oyaro won the fourth and fifth prizes on 28 and 20 points respectively
  • KPA Acting Managing Director Dr. Daniel Manduku said the KPA golf series will be bigger and better next year adding that the first series in 2019 will take place at Machakos Golf Club on February 9

Training and hard work paid off for Nyali Golf and Country Club lady golfer Pauline Gichara as she beat a record 252 golfers, to emerge the overall winner of this year’s Kenya Ports Authority(KPA) golf series grand finale at the par 71 Nyali course on Saturday.

The handicap-29 Gichara, who scratched one hole in each nine, needed only five pars for her excellent 40 points made up of 18 points in the first nine and 22 at the back nine.

“I started badly, picking up three double bogeys in a row with only one par coming at the ninth, but I managed to pull myself together at the back nine where I started with a par and closed with a par,’’ said Gichara whose last victory was two years ago during a Sanlam golf event.

“I thank our professional Njuguna Ngugi who was giving me some advice on my game though I have also been putting a lot of extra work to try and improve my game. I will definitely try and defend my title next year,’’ added Gichara after receiving her beautiful golf bag from KPA Chairman General Joseph Raymond Kibwana.

Taking the men’s first prize was newcomer Daniel Ondeng’a who posted 39 points to beat Suresh Hirani, Walter Starzoch and Harpreet Sagoo on countback. The three took the second, third and fourth prizes respectively.

Also posting 40 points to claim the ladies first prize was Mombasa Golf Club lady captain Mary Mariga who won by two points from Susan Stokes. Niran Hirani, who got his handicap less than two months ago, posted 36 points to claim the junior title while Clive Barnsley was the senior category winner on 34 points.

Leading the staff was Charles Odoo who combined 19 and 18 for 37 points to win by a point from Teresia Odoo as Japheth Obonyo on 30 was third. Fiona Mbandi and Yobesh Oyaro won the fourth and fifth prizes on 28 and 20 points respectively.

Meanwhile, Muthaiga Golf Club’s Dan Kagwe is back on form as he fired 39 points to lead the long list of guests which included golfers from Muthaiga, Royal, Railway, Machakos, Nakuru, Karen, Nyahururu, and Thika. Playing off handicap 11, Kagwe - the father of some of the top junior golfers in the country Mutahi Kibugu and Njoroge Kibugu - rolled in a number of birdies and pars to beat lady golfer R.Chepkemoi by three points.

Sammy Mwiti was third with a score of 35 while finishing fourth was Takeshi Miyagawa on 33. One of the leading golfers at the Coast, William Kaguta won the longest-drive-contest for the men while the ladies winner was Vanessa Peris. Adan Boru won the men’s nearest-to-pin while the ladies prize went to Pauline Gichara.

Speaking during prize giving ceremony, KPA chairman General Kibwana said KPA will continue sponsoring the golf events because it gives the management a chance to meet with some of its clients and business associates.

“We do appreciate the support all of you as golfers give us and we will continue offering excellent services and if you think there are some areas where we are not doing well please let us know so that we may take action to correct our failures,’’ said Kibwana.

KPA Acting Managing Director Dr. Daniel Manduku said the KPA golf series will be bigger and better next year adding that the first series in 2019 will take place at Machakos Golf Club on February 9.