Wambua crowned 'king of the course'

Former Machakos Golf captain Club Larry Wambua, currently the Nairobi County Government Executive in charge of environment, is the ‘’2019 King Of The Course’’ golf champion.
Playing off handicap eight, Wambua beat club chairman Swarn Singh on count back with an impressive 39 points to emerge the overall winner of the ICEA Lion Group sponsored tournament, where in addition to the King of The Course trophy, he also went home with a beautiful Taylor-Made golf bag.

It was his first major victory at Machakos and elsewhere in the country after over two years.

“I actually was not sure of playing well because I have been very busy at work with little time to play golf.

I just came to see how the course was but after posting 18 points in the first nine, I realized my golf was still as good," said Wambua, who three putted the sixth and dropped two more shots at the seventh and eighth, having started with a bogey at the par five-first.

Wambua concluded the front nine with a birdie, before dropping two shots at the 12th and 15th holes.

It was however a birdie at the 18th for 21 points, which saw him beat the handicap 16 Swarn Singh on count back.

Singh, with a combination of 21 and 18, saw him take the men’s first prize with Dominic Kikuyu finished second for the second year running with the same score of 38 points.

“I was playing well at the back nine until the last four holes where I dropped unnecessary shots which apparently coasted me the victory," said Singh.

Another past captain, Leonard Munyao Kamba was third on 37 after beating David Mwangangi on count back.

In the guests category, L. Muturi beat S. Atsiaya and E. Nduati on count back with 37 points to claim the first prize, while Pauline Kamuti clinched the ladies first prize with a score of 36 points, winning ahead of Jennifer Ngure on 31.

Leading the diaspora golfers was the long hitting Chilungamo Chimwanza with 28 points. Chamwanza also won the men’s longest drive after hitting a massive 338 yards drive at the 18th.

Ruiru Sports Club’s Irene Wamoro won the ladies longest drive. The two nines went to Ben Nyamongo on 22 points and former club chairman Collins Kaloki, who posted 21 points, while Gelian Hotel chairman Alphonse Kioko won the nearest to pin prize.

On the pro section, long hitting Dismas Indiza of Mumias and Golf Park’s David Wakhu tied on two under par 70, while in third place was Tony Omuli also from Golf Park on 73 and local pro John Kiondo was fourth with 76 gross.

Besides ICEA Lion Group, the event which attracted a record field of 142 some of whom braved the afternoon rains, also attracted the support of Gelian Hotel and Kenya Academy of Sports.