Kanyarua wins ‘Nation’ Classic leg on home course
Nation Media Group golf writer Larry Ngala follows the progress of his tee shot during the Nation Golf Classic tourney at Nakuru Golf Club on April 21, 2018. PHOTO | AYUB MUIYURO |
What you need to know:
- The Nation Media’s Foreign News Editor Henry Owuor emerged the best staff player of the company with a score of 34 points made up of 17 points in each nine.
- One of Nakuru and the country’s leading amateur golfers John Kamais won the gross title with 36 points, and Ali Wasim emerged the junior winner on 37 points.
- The nines went to S.N. Wachira and Samuel Margaret with 22 points each.
Home player Victor Kanyarua produced an impressive score of 41 points at the long and tough playing Nakuru Golf Club course at the weekend, to claim the first leg of this year’s Nation Classic Golf series.
Playing off handicap 22, Kanyarua who attributed his victory to consistent play and daily practise, recovered from an early scratch at the long par three-fourth hole, to finish the opening nine with seven over par 22 points.
“I had a bad tee-short at the fourth where I missed the green, and three putted to scratch the hole with a six, though I did not give up,’’ said Kanyarua who started golf two years ago.
He posted 19 points at the back nine where he only parred three holes, for his impressive score that saw him beat a field of 139 golfers drawn from all the central Rift region and as far away as Nairobi, Eldoret and Nyanza.
“I was driving well and putting well save for a few holes and this is because I have been putting a lot of efforts in my game,’’ said Kanyarua, after receiving his trophy and a golf bag from Nation Media Group Finance Director and Acting CEO Stephen Gitagama during a colourful prize giving ceremony, that was attended by over 300 golfers, staff and guests of the Nation Media Group.
VETERAN GOLFER
Finishing second with 39 points after a strong first nine score of 23 points, was Paul Aweyo while a veteran golfer Josiah Ruttoh posted 18 and 20 points for a total of 38.
In the ladies section Rosemary Wangui posted 37 points to win by one point from Nyahururu’s Susan Hiuko.
Leading the guests was M. Kibuga playing off handicap 17 who posted 30 points to win by three points from Golf Park’s Aisha Duba.
The Nation Media’s Foreign News Editor Henry Owuor emerged the best staff player of the company with a score of 34 points made up of 17 points in each nine.
One of Nakuru and the country’s leading amateur golfers John Kamais won the gross title with 36 points, and Ali Wasim emerged the junior winner on 37 points.
The nines went to S.N. Wachira and Samuel Margaret with 22 points each.
Gitagama said the giant media house will continue supporting the Nation Classic series and the game of golf in general in the country.
“These Nation Classic golf series have been going on since 1985 and as a company, we will continue supporting, not just the series, but the game of golf in the country,’’ said Gitagama.
He added said the Nation has over the years supported various clubs in their endeavours to improve their facilities, Nakuru Golf Club being one of them.
“Several years ago, the Nation Media Group supported this club in improving the men’s changing room, and we are happy that the club has maintained the facilities well,” said Gitagama.
