Kimatu shines as he floors 180 top golfers

Peter Kimatu in action at Machakos Golf Club. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

Machakos Golf Club's outgoing captain Peter Kimatu beat a team of over 180 golfers to emerge the overall winner during the Captain's prize golf tournament played at the nine-hole course, on Saturday.

Playing off handicap 16, Kimatu returned an excellent score of 44 stableford points to claim the trophy in the event that was held to bid him farewell after serving as the club's captain for the last one year.

"It's really amazing that I have won my own tournament. I can't imagine. Anyway, it has been a good day of golfing, playing and meeting many friends from various clubs around the country. I extend many thanks to club members for their support during my tenure. I hope they'll extend the same support to the in-coming captain," said Kimatu.

Bernard Mutua, playing off handicap 16, was the member winner on a countback score of 39 points after tying on the same score with runner-up handicap 14 Jackson Mbaluku. Handicap 15 Ben Mumo was third with 38 points.

The Lady winner was handicap 13 Catherine Wambui, who brought a score of 36 points, while handicap 19 Felista Mutinda, on 29 points, was second. Handicap 23 Virginia Mutei, who had 28 points finished third.

Handicap 4 Margaret Njoki took the Guest title on 34 points, while Bill Kalya, playing off handicap 10, brought 33 points to claim the runner-up slot.

Cornelius Ndumai, playing off handicap 31, claimed the High handicappers men prize with 37 points, as handicap 48 Jemima Samuel, on 35 points, ruled in the ladies' category.

Handicap 25 Emmanuel Mwanza, with 70 nett and handicap 45 Tecla Masanga, who also had the same score, were the men and lady caddie winners.

School boys currently on holiday also enjoyed their part playing nine holes where Pacey Mutua won the 10 to 11 years age group after returning a score of 71 gross while Pauline Mbithe with 56 gross was the winner of the 14 years age group and Myles Mwendwa recorded a score of 54 gross to win the 12 to 13 years age group category.

Elsewhere at the Nandi Bears Golf Club in the same day, The four-ball team of Boaz Sugut, Erick Choge, Josephat Acharo and Edwin Serem recorded a combined score of 117 points to emerge to claim the team title at the penultimate leg of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour.

"My four-ball team played amazingly well, which enabled our teamwork victory. We are embarking on rigorous training for the grand finale of the tour later in December,"said Sugut.

David Sum, John Saina, Eileen Chepchumba and Sosteen Biwot with a combined score of 107 points were the team runners up.

The two teams join 14 other teams that have already secured their places in the Pro-Am grand finale event slated for December 15^th, at the lush Karen Country Club in Nairobi.

Handicap 20 golfer Erick Choge carded a count back score of 42 stable ford points to clinch the overall winner prize beating over 100 golfers who graced the tourney.

He had tied on the same score with handicap 24 Edwin Serem who was the Men winner while handicap 22 Gorrety Mutai brought 36 points to emerge the lady winner.

Kakamega Golf Club's handicap 18 golfer H. Khokoro was named the guest winner after carding 35 stable ford points and the staff winner prize was won by Aggrey Mulumbi on 33 points.

Meanwhile over 220 Coast Golfers on Saturday got a rude shock of their lives and were disappointed after the much anticipated Stanbic Golf tourney scheduled to be played was canceled at the last minute following heavy down at the Coast.

One of the Coast Golf Veteran Dan Mugambi said he has been training hard in preparation for the tourney but remains hopeful for the other coming events next slated for Saturday both at Nyali and Sea-Link Mombasa Course.