By Maarufu Mohammed and Oscar Pilipili
Home player Stephen Omondi made good use of home advantage to be crowned champion during the Diani Beach Masters at Leisure Golf Club.
Omondi, a former caddie at Leisure who is now playing off handicap eight, posted 74 points (35-39) over two days to emerge the overall winner of the 14th edition of the annual tournament played at the par 72 course.
The winner also automatically claimed the traditional Green Jacket of the year, which was handed over to him by Keringet Golfer of the Year series leader David Opati of Golf Park before a crowd of over 140 golfers from Eastern Africa.
‘This is a great glory not only to the club but the entire golf family of the Coast region fraternity,” said Leisure Lodge Beach Resort Chief Executive Officer John Kioko.
Omondi’s victory extended Kenya’s dominance in the competition, which the country has won all but two titles (2004, 2008) when they lost to Tanzanians Hassan Kadio and Bryson Nyenza.
four under par
During the final 18 holes rounds on Sunday, Omondi started off the outward nines rolling seven level pars on first, second third, fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth holes and dropped two bogey shots on the sixth for a four under par 34.
An excited Omondi said: “The jacket has always been going to Nairobi, but this time I have fought so hard for it to remain at the Coast,” said Omondi.
It was indeed a field day for the Leisure Club golfers who took advantage of the challenging and tough course to sweep all the top four positions with handicap eight Ronald Omariba taking up the runners-up slot on a round total of 72 points ( 37,35).
Handicap 11 D’Assache Edourd came third on 71 points (35-36), while the fourth slot was taken by handicap three Charles Sire on 71(35-36).
In Thika, Michael Kiarie posted 39 points (20 + 19) to emerge overall winner in Kenya Golf Society tournament. Lady winner was Nancy Ng’ang’a on 38.
The honours of Ladies Medal tournament sponsored by DN Mukubwa went to F Githiori who lifted lady’s winner trophy on count-back 72 points while Mumbi Njuguna was runner-up on (72 points).
funds raised
Meanwhile, Rotary Club of Milimani held their Golf Day at Royal Nairobi Golf Club with the aim of raising funds for 21 less fortunate students they sponsor.
The students include 10 in high school, four in university and seven in vocational training.
Elsewhere, American Ryan Moore, rock-solid over the closing stretch, fended off playing partner Brendon de Jonge of Zimbabwe in a final-round duel to win his second PGA Tour title by one shot at the $4.5 million Las Vegas Open on Sunday, adds Reuters.
Tied for the lead overnight with de Jonge and Swede Jonas Blixt, Las Vegas resident Moore fired a five-under-par 66 in glorious afternoon sunshine at the TPC Summerlin to finish with a 24-under total of 260.
“It’s been an unbelievable week,” a jubilant Moore said on the 18th green after tapping in a short par putt.