Wilson Rading was crowned the King of Kilifi after emerging the overall winner in the Kilifi County golf tournament played at the Vipingo Ridge golf course in Kilifi County on Saturday.
The Nyali golf and Country club-based golfer Rading conquered the PGA-rated challenging course by carding an excellent score of 42 stable ford points to claim the top spot and record his maiden victory this year.
“What an amazing moment today I had both in and off this challenging course enabling me to record a wonderful score. At last, my hard training and practice has finally paid off and I am looking forward to more amazing scores, “said Rading.
The event that brought together 120 golfers from the home club, Malindi golf and country club, Nyali, Mombasa seafront, Kwale county’s Diamond Leisure golf resort club and others from across the country including tourist golfers with valid handicaps was organized by the Kilifi County Government.
This was in culmination of the three-days inaugural Kilifi County International Investment Conference for this year.
Maureen Obunga was the overall runner up on 40 points and Mombasa’s Edwin Kiptoo carded 38 points to claim the third slot.
The Diamond Leisure golf club’s Lady Captain Caroline Mokaya playing off handicap 24 was the best lady on a score of 38 points and the same prize for man was scooped by handicap 11 Ken Luusa from the home club who also recorded the same score of 38 points.
Kenya’s Lady golf team Captain Naomi Wafula from the home club and Nyali golf and country club’s Junior golfer Fidel Wasike were the longest drive lady and man winners respectively.
Kilifi County Governor Gideon Mung'aro thanked the players and all those who attended the conference saying the event highlights Kilifi’s vast investment potential in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, infrastructure, renewable energy, and manufacturing.
“Our commitment to positioning Kilifi as a premier investment destination is steadfast. This event that will continue annually will further foster partnerships that drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve quality of life in our community,” said Mung’aro.
Elsewhere, Kenyan golfers team narrowly missed the overall lead to their Ugandan colleagues on a count back in this year’s KCB East Africa golf tour grand finale played at the Sigona Golf Club.
The combined four ball-ball team from Nyanza comprising Jotem Pabari, Preshant Thakar, Ramesh Karia, and Aamit Shah recorded a combined count back score of 106 points to take the runners up slot in the tournament that brought together an estimated 230 golfers from across the East African region.
They had tied on the same score with the overall four-ball team winners of Joseph Cwinyaai, Kabasweka Peace, Kakito Abdul, and Babirye Martha from Toro and Uganda golf clubs.
The Uganda team bagged the ultimate prize of Kshs.1 million and their Lady golfer Martha Babirye booked a slot to play in the 2025 Magical Kenya Ladies Open (MGKLO) in Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi County.
“The victory was the result of preparation and determination. We were disappointed during last year’s KCB East Africa golf tour after we fell short in the grand finale here in Kenya. We went back, strategized, practiced more, and made sure we came back stronger in this year's competition. This win is a result of teamwork, and we are looking forward to putting more effort into the competitions to come, “said team captain Joseph Cwinyaai.
The team of Cedrik Konzolo, Jack Songwa, Julius Oketch, and Allan Muhando from Kakamega secured the second third position with a combined score of 104 points.
Nanyuki sports Club’s Ramadhan Maulid from playing off handicap 17 was named the Individual overall winner on 38 points after narrowly beating handicap 16 golfer Mickey Simbakwira on countback.
Handicap 1 Kabasweka Peace who was part of the winning team from Uganda, claimed the Lady winner title with 34 points while in the specialty contests, Kabasweka also bagged the Longest Drive title for ladies, with the Men’s honor going to John Lejirima of Kenya Railways.
Muthaiga’s Junior golfer Bianca Wanjiru playing off handicap 15 was the Junior Winner on 26 points and handicap 17 Ibrahim Lande claimed the staff prize on 37 points.
Another staff member, Paul Russo added a special moment to the event by hitting the nearest-to-the-pin at hole 5, which was designated for the hole-in-one prize missing an ultimate reward of an apartment worth Ksh. 2.1 million from Beular City.
This tournament featured over 3000 golfers taking part across the five East African countries in over 26 golf courses and 15 counties in Kenya.
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