Gitonga wins ICEA King of the Course trophy

Overall winner of ICEA King of the Course Nanyuki leg Kelvin Gitonga in action at Nanyuki Sports Club, January 22, 2022. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

A three stroke advantage presented Kelvin Gitonga with victory during the ICEA King of the Course leg at Nanyuki Sports Club, over the weekend.

Long-hitting Gitonga, who has been on and off the course, saw his handicap rise from 12 to 15 with increased scoring chances that saw him collect 25 stableford points from his outward nine and 17 extra stableford points from his back nine.

He had a total of 42 stableford points to star over a field of 139 golfers.

The series has been to Machakos Sports Club, Thika Greens Golf Resort and Ruiru Sports Club.

Aware of the advantage his handicap afforded him, Gitonga set off with a target to amass 45 stableford points, but fell short by three strokes.

“I was among the first players on the course while it was still wet and that enabled me execute good chips in addition to nice tee-shots, which I converted well as I picked three birdies and fives pars.” said Gitonga

“I used to play off handicap 12 but it went up to 15 and I knew that automatically presented me with a three-stroke advantage which I capitalised on,” he added

Trailing Gitonga was the club’s captain William Njoroge, playing off handicap 26. He returned a solid score of 40 stableford points to bag Men winner prize.

Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi, playing off handicap 27, posted 39 stableford points to edge out his Personal Assistant Kiama Kaara on countback with a similar score of 39 stableford points. Patrick Ekwam walked away with Men winner fourth with 38 stableford points.

Machakos Sports Club had a contingent of 30 golfers strutting the par-70 nine-hole course.