Maina engineers his way to victory at Thika course

A record field of 309 golfers participated in the tournament, which was punctuated by disruptive light drizzles, to celebrate former chairman Chris Kinuthia’s stint at the helm of the club management last year.

One of the highlight of Kinuthia’s reign was the completion of the sports club’s kitchen, refurbishment projects and strengthening of Junior Golf programme at the club.

Playing off handicap 22, Maina parred the first a par-five before bogeying the par-four second, par-four third and par-three fourth.

He then double-bogeyed the fifth hole, scratched the sixth hole, which is a par-three, before bogeying the par-four seventh, par-four eighth and the ninth, a par-five, to earn himself 22 stableford points.

After the halfway mark, Maina missed out on a par, picking up a bogey and thanks to his double-stroking, got three points.

He then bogeyed the 11th hole a par three, to escape with his second double-bogey on the par-four 12th, par-four 13th and par-four 14th holes.

Maina later picked a bogey on the par-five 15th hole, par-three 16th and par-four 17th then triple-bogeyed the 18th hole, a par-four, to ice his score with 18 more points for a deserved victory.

Handicap 28 SK Ndungi was Men winner on a score of 38 stableford points beating Patrick Mukuria on count-back with a similar score of 38 stableford points.

Esther Mwangi, playing off handicap 25, was Lady winner on a score of 38 stableford points beating former Thika Sports Club Chairman Betty Mutua on countback after posting 38 stableford points.

Rajan Shah won First Nine prize with 22 stableford points with Ben Mahui taking Second nine prize with 20 stableford points.

C Muguku, with 44 stableford points, took the Guest winner prize.

Kenya Longest Drive Team member Edwin Kiarie won the Longest Drive Men prize with Irene Auma winning Longest Drive Ladies title.

A Maleche and Petty Kigwe dropped their tee shot Nearest to the Pin par-three sixth hole to claim men and lady prizes.

A total of 11 twos were registered during the meet.

J Gachomba, A Kimani, J Wakimani, Lt Gen Waweru, Pro Simon Ngige, Andrew Muriuki, L Ngamau and Paul Njoki were the lucky lot.

Others were M Koigi, M Kirika and W Kinyua.

Each won 11 golf balls.