Karanja stuns 249 golfers at Railway Club

Ronnie Maina in action at Kenya Railway Golf Club. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Skill and tact came into play as Stanley Karanja won the Kenya Railway Golf Club chairman Ronnie Maina's 2024 prize over the weekend.

Karanja himself, a former KRGC chairman, braved the heavy showers that pounded the city course to bag the prestigious award to floor a field of 249 golfers who took part in the two-day meet.

The course was tough, especially for the early morning golfers, who had to play in soggy fairway conditions due to the heavy rains.

Karanja registered 36 differential points to lift the title in the fun-filled tournament to celebrate the end of Ronnie's chairmanship.

Under his reign, the 300-plus range was redone as well as the Kiddies play area.

Jonathan Marucha assumed the reins as the new KRGC Chairman during the recent AGM to lead the board of directors for one year.

The stars aligned in Karanja's favour despite the wet conditions of play, even after a three-year sabbatical leave from the gentleman's game.

"I'm a good golfer who can play through any season. That is why I still managed to post a good score regardless of the state of the course," said Karanja.

Winning the overall second prize was JM Ndung'u with a differential score of 37 points. Handicap 10, Kevin Ngacha bounced back from injury to win overall winner third also on 37 differential points.

One of the club's top lady golfers, Nancy Kariuki, was the overall winner fourth with 39 differential points.

Handicap 28 Nelson Mutai won the Men winner prize with 35 Stableford points, while vice-captain John Kaimenyi won the men's second prize winner on a score of 34 Stableford points.

The home Lady winner prize was won by a handicap 17, Ruth Omwansa, with a score of 30 Stableford points.

Carol Muruga was the home lady winner after inking 28 Stableford points. Hard-hitting Jimmy Semenya emerged as the Junior winner on a score of 20 Stableford points.