81-year-old Peter Mwagiru Kariuki proved that age is just a number after flooring 235 golfers to record his major victory at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club course in Mombasa County on Saturday.
The home golfer Kariuki playing off handicap 22 and who started playing golf in 1974 at Sigona Club in Nairobi before later moving to Mombasa, carded the day’s excellent score of 43 stable ford points to emerge the overall winner of the Stanbic Bank golf tournament.
Currently struggling to play a round of golf, he uses a motor scooter due to a back injury.
Kariuki’s victory stunned players including youthful golfers who always dominate the leader board.
Apart from praises from the club members, players and guests, Kariuki was awarded a top prize of the latest washing machine worth over Sh75,000 courtesy of the event’s supporters.
“I have not been at this podium for many years. I cannot remember, and it’s really a great honour today. People should avoid disregarding elders, especially we the senior golfers and I have proved it today that we too can do it. I played well, just lucky to win and I thank all the players for allowing me to beat them in this tournament,” said Kariuki.
Handicap 10 John Orioro carded 37 points to emerge the handicap 5 to 12 division A Men winner while handicap 9 Martin Ombura brought 36 count back points to claim the runners up spot tying on the same score with third placed handicap 7 Emmanuel Lumatete.
Mary Kandu playing off handicap 6 was the handicap 5 to 20 division A lady winner on 37 points beating handicap 18 Hilda Mugure to the runners up slot on a two points difference.
The handicap 13 to 24 division B men winner on 37 points was handicap 13 Sandeep Kandhari and handicap 16 Gabriel Gakuo was the runners up having recorded 36 points, while handicap 24 Evelyne Akinyi won on the Ladies side of handicap 21 to 24 after returning 35 points.
Handicap 34 Robert Muhita carded 40 points to take lead in the Division C for those playing from handicap 25 to 54 while handicap 24 Murtaza Saeed on 40 points and handicap 19 Shay Chauhan with 37 points were the senior and junior winners respectively.
The staff prize on 40 points was won by handicap 32 Juliet Awinja as handicap 38 Daniel Munga brought 39 points to claim the best guest winner and handicap 7 John Maina’s score of 36 points placed him as the runners up.
Club Captain Dinesh Sasan paid tribute to players and guests for attending in large numbers to make the tournament successful.
Elsewhere, Kenya’s ladies team won bronze in this year’s All-Africa Challenge trophy that ended at the Tazegzout golf club course in Morocco on Saturday.
The team under the Kenya Ladies Golf Union manager Babza Nzibo and comprises of Naomi Wafula as captain, Golf Park’s Mercy Nyanchama and Muthaiga’s Bianca Ngecu played a combined total of 7 overs for 439 points to be placed third in the three-day tournament.
“Morocco was an incredible experience. The competition was tough, but the hospitality and support from the organisers made it memorable. We are proud of finishing third and winning bronze. It’s always an honour to represent our country on such a platform,” said Wafula.