Home golfer Gakure wins Kiambu 2024 captain's prize

Britam Group Managing Director and CEO Tom Gitogo(left) presents the overall prize to Patrick Gakure (center) the winner of Kiambu Golf Club Captain (Caesar Mugo) right, November 9, 2024.  [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Home golfer Patrick Gakure was all smiles after winning the 2024 Captain Caesar Mugo prize at the nine-hole Kiambu Golf Club over the weekend.

Gakure delivered an impressive performance, finishing with an aggregate score of 71 points, surpassing 312 golfers who participated in the two-day tournament.

On Friday, Njogu wa Njoroge won the overall second place with an aggregate score of 70 points. Gakure's success stemmed from his superb drives, achieving 90% fairway hits, getting onto the greens in regulation, and recording four pars, nine bogeys, and three double-bogies.

"My strength was in my tee shots, which were straight and quite long. I managed to sink difficult putts with ease," Gakure said.

The overall lady winner was former Kenya One, Wanjiru Karume, who also finished with an aggregate score of 70 points.

On Saturday, Leonard Mwangi, playing off a handicap of 21, was declared the Men’s winner with a score of 39 stableford points. Following him was handicap 18 player Peter Njuguna with 38 stableford points, and Senior Captain Mike Nyangi, who posted 35 stableford points.

Steve Kiaro, the Captain of St Andrews-Ndumberi Golf Club, won the Gross prize with a score of 74 points. In the ladies' division, Jackie Gathondeki emerged as the Lady winner with 35 stableford points, narrowly beating Joyce Wanjiru, who finished with 34 points. Karume secured third place in the ladies' category, also with a score of 34 stableford points.

In the Subsidiary category, Francis Kungu topped the rankings with 33 stableford points, followed by Joseph Mwariri with 32 points. The Guest Men’s prize went to MK Njuguna, playing off a handicap of 8, with a score of 37 stableford points. Jessica Kimathi secured the Guest Lady's prize with a score of 28 stableford points.

Among the Friends of the Captain, O. Gathara won with 34 stableford points, edging out Patrick Ngari on countback for second place. In the Nines Men's category, Professor GN Manguria won the First Nine prize with 21 stableford points, while JN Ikonya took the Second Nine prize with 20 stableford points. The First Nine Lady winner was Carol Maina with 17 points, and Jane Waweru won the Second Nine prize with 20 points.

Mike Ngene was recognized for the Longest Drive in the men's category, while Joyce Wanjiru claimed the title in the ladies' division. Senior Dr. Paul Murumba and Joyce Wanjiru were awarded the Nearest to Pin honors for men and ladies, respectively. Handicap 16 player GG Waburi won the Former Captain's prize with 34 stableford points. Only two "twos" were recorded, by elite golfers Michael Karanga and Dr. Murumba.