Nyareru lifts 2024 NCBA Golf Series grand finale title

Sarah Nyareru carded 37 stableford points to emerge overall winner of the 2024 NCBA Golf Series Grand Finale held at par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club on Friday.

The handicap 12 Karen Country Club player was awarded Sh120,000 worth of Unit Trust for her feat that saw her beat other 230 contestants to the coveted gong.

"I'm grateful for this great victory, I'm still surprised with it even though I have been playing and practicing very good golf of late," Nyareru said.

The mother of three said she started the contest on low key in front nine but picked on well at the back nine as the day progressed.

"Second nine was a bit tough but my perfect putts gave me the confidence to soldier on," she narrated.

Nyareru, who doubles as a businesswoman and a farmer, plans to use part of the winning prize to offer tithe at the same time support a noble cause at her village where she plans to spend her Christmas festivities.

"I will close the year with the Karen Ladies Open today (Sunday) before I break for Christmas," the reigning Karen Country Club Ladies Strokeplay champion underlined.

Her advice to those who wants to embrace golf is, " Love the game first, practice a lot to be perfect so you can enjoy it easily."

The fourth edition of the annual series attracted all Series leg winners from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and new entrants Rwanda totaling to 230 players.

The Overall champion, the Men Winner and the Lady Winner were all rewarded with Sh120,000 worth of Unit Trust by the sponsors.

The players also had a chance to contest for a hole-in- one prize at the par-3 13th where a Toyota FJ Cruiser, donated by Khushi Motors, was the ultimate prize, but no one achieved the feat.

The series teed off in March with 3,500 golfers searching for glory in it across the four East African nations.

The tournament also advocated for sustainability where the organisers donated indigenous tree seedlings to Muthaiga Golf Club and other fraternities, contributing to their ambitious target of planting 10 million trees by 2030.

"Congratulations to all the winners for their remarkable achievements, and a heartfelt commitment to environmental stewardship by donating indigenous tree seedlings too but as a platform for building relationships, developing talent, and driving positivity as we look forward to an even brighter future for golf in East Africa," NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora stated at the prize giving ceremony.

Winners

1.Staff Winner: Titus Mwithiga 36 stableford points 

2.Guest Winner: Olive Njagi, 42

3.Junior Winner: Pendo Kanaiza, 38

4.Category 3 winner:Elijah Simba, 49

5.Category 2 Lady Winner: Mary Karano, 38

6.Category 2 Men Winner: Simon Mathenge, 35

7.Category 1 Lady Winner: Emma Pennington,34

8.Category 1 Men Runners Up: Henry Kamau, 34

9.Category 1 Men Winner: John Mburu,35

10.Overall Winner: Sarah Nyareru,37