Karemu wins CIC Insurance tourney

CIC Insurance Group tournament overall winner Simon Karemu (left) receives the prize from CIC Group acting CEO Elijah Wachira

CIC Insurance Group tournament overall winner Simon Karemu (left) receives the prize from CIC Group acting CEO Elijah Wachira at Kenya Railway Golf Club on November 9, 2019.

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • In the ladies section, Jedidah Tayo Kubo carded 30 points, to win by one point from Shelmith Muraguri
  • At Limuru Country Club, Kezie Kihara carded 45 points, to claim the Lady Captain’s prize, beating the lady winner Margaret Wairimu by four points
  • At Sigona Golf Club, Atul Parmar claimed the Prime Bank golf tournament with an impressive score of 41 points

A last minute birdie saw Simon Karemu completed an impressive round of 40 points, to claim the men’s first prize in the CIC Insurance Group-sponsored tournament at the Kenya Railway Golf Club’s par 72 course on Saturday, where he beat a field of 100 players.

Playing off handicap 13, Karemu had made six single and two double bogeys and didn’t look like a winner until he sank the birdie at the 18th hole which made him jump to the top of field.

“It has been a while since I won anything here, and it was consistency and staying on the fairways which made me play well, though I must say I was in a very good team,’’ said Karemu who beat Gerald Gakima who combined 16 and 22 for 38 points, to finish second. Like Karemu, Gakima also birdied the 18th hole for his strong back nine.

Meanwhile, the off-scratch John Lejirmah, bogeyed five holes, for one under par 37 points to finish third.

In the ladies section, Jedidah Tayo Kubo carded 30 points, to win by one point from Shelmith Muraguri while Nancy Mwaura wa the Intermediary winner with 21 points. Former Royal Nairobi Golf Club chairman Odongo Mark Okeyo posted 35 points to emerge the best guest.

Lejirmah won the men’s longest drive while taking the ladies prize was Njeri Onyango with Laban Gathungu taking the nearest to pin prize.

At Limuru Country Club, Kezie Kihara carded 45 points, to claim the Lady Captain’s prize, beating the lady winner Margaret Wairimu by four points. In second place was Grace Gichuki who posted 36 points, with Rose Mambo on 33 points finishing third.

Priscilla Waithaka beat Alison Kariuki on countback with 32 to take home the fourth prize, with Hannah Gatu on 31 finishing fifth while Grace Kimeria completed the ladies prize list with 30 points.

In the men’s category, Leonard Ngunga beat Edward Guda on countback with 40 points to win the first prize. In third place on 38 was Sam Kamau. Muthaiga’s Susan Kanyora was the lady guest winner with 34 points and the men guest winner was M. Ombura with 33. James Karanja led the pros with a score of 36 points. Kenneth Njenga carded 33 to clinch the junior title.

At Sigona Golf Club, Atul Parmar claimed the Prime Bank golf tournament with an impressive score of 41 points, winning ahead of Jimmy Merali on 39 points, while Kalpesh Parekh came home third on 38 points. The ladies prize went to Esther Ngige on 33 and H. Chudasama emerging the best guest with 37 points. Mohit Shah and Bharat Thakrar won the nines with 21 and 22 points. Anthony Wachira claimed the longest drive title.

The following are summarised results in the weekend golf round up:

At Ruiru; Samuel Njinu’s Golf Day; Overall winner- Stephen Gaitho 39, Men winner- D.K. Mbugua 38 cb B.Okumu, Joseph Gachomba. Dixon Waruinge 37, Lady winner- Teresiah Wainina 35 cb Jane Mwaura, Jane Kanari 33, Nines; Fr Mwaura 21, Lawrence Gachara 20, Guest winner- Magu Ngaire 33, Junior Winner- Lenny Muragu 26, Gross- Ben Omondi 75, sponsor winner- Peter Njinu 35 points.

At Muthaiga; Premier Reality Golf Day; Men winner- Jsiah Mwaniki 66 nett, Benny Orwako 68, Lady winner- Stella Mwangi 72, Junior Winner- Junior winner Taimur Malik 71 nett, Gross winner- Zubair Khan 75, Nines; Vipin Rajani 34.5 nett, Rita Njeru 32.2 nett