Kilburn successfully defends The Karen Day Trophy

Crown Paints Limited Plc Ceo Dr Rakesh Rao (left) presents the Karen Day Trophy to the winner Wade Kilburn (right) at Karen Country Club. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Wade Kilburn successfully defended the Crown Paints - Karen Day Trophy at the championship Karen Country Club layout over the weekend.

Kilburn, the 2024 winner, fired a decent 77 Gross to clinch the title he won last year.

One of the prestigious tournaments at the club, the Kared Day Trophy, which was only played by the creme de la creme that included handicap five and below elite golfers on a gross competition but has morphed in recent years to include a nett category otherwise referred to as the subsidiary.

Kilburn, playing off handicap five, went wild opening with a birdie on the 10th and 11 pars, tainted by six bogeys to stand tall.

"Defending a trophy is never easy. It takes a lot of concentration, commitment and trust in your swing." Kilburn said. "Also, not letting the pressure take a toll on you."

He observed, "When times get tough. Tough being a bad shot or an unlucky break by making the best out of a bad situation by trying to recover as quickly as possible. Defending the Karen Day Trophy is a privilege, having been a member of the Karen Country Club for 14 years and being the holder of two strokeplay championships."

Admitting that age is getting into him after four days of golfing against South African-based youngster  Nathan Mwangi, 20 years his junior.

"Unfortunately, never a matchplay winner, but as they say, golf is golf! You have good and bad days. It is about putting the good days together when needed. Today was that day!"

Junior player Nathan Carolan was the Gross second winner with 78 Gross points, followed by Caleb Kositany with 78 Gross points.

In the Nett category, on 65 Nett, Andrew Ombati won ahead of Titus Waithaka with 68 Nett. Third-placed Peter Kariuki returned 69 Nett.

Bagging the Senior Gross prize was John Muiruri, after posting 85 Gross. David Muriithi was the Senior Nett prize winner with 70 Nett.

Best among the juniors was Sheha Omanga, with 93 Gross points. Rayman Kimani won the Junior Nett winner prize with 83 Nett.

Samira Kimani chalked 37 stableford points to take the Subsidiary winner title. Coming in second was Joyce Theuri, with 37 stableford points.

The subsidiary Junior winner prize was won by Marya Nyambura, who carded 35 Stableford points.

The best among the Guest players was Rohit Vadhwana, who posted 38 stableford points. Ashish Shah was second with 36 stableford points.