Songs and dance as Njoro's Nyanchama crowned queen of t2024 Ladies Coast Queen at Nyali

Overall gross winner Mercy Nyanchama in action at Nyali Club course in Mombasa County on Saturday night. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

Songs and dances rented the air after Kenyan youthful Lady Golfer Mercy Nyanchama was crowned the 2024 Ladies Coast Open Golf Champion as curtain finally closed in the five legs of the tournament that climaxed at the Par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club course in Mombasa County on Saturday.

The Njoro Country Club Golfer playing off handicap 2 rounded up the final rounds on an excellent two over par 73 gross to clinch the Nyali Bowl after emerging the Overall gross winner.

This is the third victory after She won the Malindi Cup in the first leg of the open played at the Malindi Golf and Country Club Course last Monday before grabbing the Mombasa Cup in the fourth leg played at the Sea-link Mombasa Course on Friday.

“Today I want to appreciate all that the Lord has done for me for me in the one week at the Coast. And despite some challenging weather changes, I managed to focus positively on my game and the course also played well. What a pleasure and surprise to be standing here at the podium tonight. Infact this victory has given me more confidence that I needed to take the next step in my career.

Thank you to my playing partners, the Club green staffs for making the course suit my game and the Organizing committee for the success of the tournament,” said Nyanchama.

Uganda’s handicap 2 Martha Babirye missed the overall lead by three strokes difference to claim the Gross Division A title after producing a five over par 76 gross while Golf Park’s handicap 5 Margaret Njoki on 77 gross and Her Club mate handicap 5 Aisha Duba with 78 gross were the Division A gross runners up and third placed respectively.

The Division A nett winner on 66 nett was handicap 18 Rosemary Obara from Nyanza as handicap 14 Penny Wambui from Nakuru carded 67 nett to claim the runners up spot and handicap 14 Hellen Manyara of Vetlab brought a count back score of 68 nett to sit third.

Nakuru’s handicap 21 Susan Gichuki won the Division B gross prize on 89 gross while Royal Nairobi’s handicap 21 Rosemary Kioni was the runners up after carding 92 gross and handicap 21 Rosemary Mkok of Muthaiga came third with a score of 92 gross.

The Division B nett winner on 65 nett was handicap 28 Lydia Otieno from Railways as handicap 32 Alice dan of Thika Sports on 67 nett and handicap 34 Gertrude Mwenadah from Diamond Leisure with 69 nett claimed the runners up and third spots respectively.

This tournament that brought 157 elite Lady golfers from across the Country, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania is one of the series in the ongoing Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU).

Under the support of the Union’s Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) Coast representative Teresia Odoo it was played around all the five Coast Golf Clubs from Monday,5th August, ending at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club Course in Mombasa County on Saturday evening.

The Nyali leg was jointly supported by among others ABSA, Predators, Heliocare, Kericho Gold, Pauland, Airlife Electronics, Dala Dala, Dankiz, Nulook, Vivo Energy, Winstar Security Wine &More and Friends of the Lady Captain.

Club Captain Mary Mariga thanked all the players, supporters and the entire Club Staffs for their efforts in ensuring the success of the event promising that it will be greater and much better next year while also apologizing for any misfortunates that may have occurred.

KLGU Coast Representative Teresia Odoo said the competition went on well despite some few challenges which were noticed and going on forward more improvement is promised.

“Circuit planning went as planned and this time round the cancellations were few unlike last year and We encourage more Junior Lady golfers to participate. I hope you have all enjoyed the Coast weather and its touristic attractions. Thank you all,"said Teresia.

Meanwhile home player Nathan Njuguna playing off handicap of 11 carded 42 stable ford points to claim Division One top prize in the seventeenth leg of the 2024 NCBA Golf Series played at the par 72 Limuru Country Club Course in Kiambu County on Saturday that attracted 228 Players.

Njuguna beat handicap 9 James Mbui, who finished as the Men’s runner-up with a total of 40 points.

In the Division Two which comprises golfers with handicaps between 13 and 24 witnessed an intense battle, with Waweru Thuku and Edwin Miano both scoring 41 points.

Thuku paying off handicap 14 ultimately secured the Men’s Winner title on countback, while handicap 23 Miano took the men’s runner-up spot.

In Division Three, for golfers with handicaps of 25 and above, handicap 28 Hope Oduor was the winner with a score of 40 points and handicap 25 Maryjane Miako finished second with 39 points.

KLGU Vice Chairman Rosemary Mkok (right) flanked by the Nyali Golf and Country Club Lady Captain Mary Mariga (left) awards the overall Gross prize to Njoro’s Mercy Nyanchama at Nyali Club in Mombasa County on Saturday night. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard].

The Junior category was dominated by Joseph Kageche, who carded 53 points to secure his place in the grand finale.

Wambui Gitonga playing off handicap 11 won the Ladies’ Division One category with a round of 28 points while handicap 23 Beth Kariuki excelled, winning the ladies’ title with 39 points, closely followed by Mumbi Gatu of handicap 20 who finished as the runner-up with 38 points.

The Staff category, Erick Nabutola carded 37 points to win the top prize while Fiona Mwende led the guest category with a strong showing of 42 points.

NCBA Limuru Branch Manager James Maina said, “We are thrilled to have hosted such a vibrant leg of the NCBA Golf Series at Limuru Country Club. The turnout was exceptional, and the competition was great. At NCBA, we remain committed to supporting golfing activities and creating platforms for our customers to interact and network. We look forward to continuing our support for the golfing community and to witnessing the grand finale later this year with the winners who qualified here today.”

Following the Limuru event, six of the top golfers secured their slots to play at the series grand finale, scheduled for Muthaiga Golf Club in November.

The six include the top male and female finishers in Divisions One and Two, and the overall winner in Division Three, as well as the overall Junior winner.

Action now heads to VetLab Sports Club on August 24th, where another exciting round of the NCBA Golf Series awaits Golfers who will once again have the chance to compete for top honors and secure their spots in the grand finale.