Kosgei claims top prize at Vet Lab

Saturday was a perfect day for high handicapper Jeremy Kosgei as he managed to overcome a strong challenge from a field of 133 golfers and claim the top prize during the Stableford competition sponsored by the club captain Adam Nyaga at Vet Lab Sports Club.

The handicap 25 Kosgei posted an excellent score of 43 points, despite picking up five double-bogeys and an eight at the par four-fourth hole. With a birdie at the ninth, Kosgei was able to finish the front nine with 18 points.

A birdie before the start of the back nine triggered a string of pars, which contributed into his incredible 25 points at the back nine, that saw him beat men winner Rushil Savla on countback.

Robert Odero, a handicap four golfer who plays regularly at Golf Park, brought home 41 points to finish second in the men’s section.

On the other hand, the 13-year-old Chanelle Wangari continued with her great form as she posted 21 points at the front nine, a birdie at the par five-seventh, and 17 points at the back nine for 38 points to claim the ladies top prize.

Before the weekend event, Wangari, then playing off handicap seven, had posted four over par 76 gross for 39 points to finish two points behind the winner Jared Osoro in the club-nite event on Wednesday.

For the weekend event, Wangari won by two points from Nancy Njiraini, with M. Oyugi picking up the junior title after returning 40 points, four better than senior winner Peter Muiruri.

At the par 72 Ruiru Sports Club course, Catherine Wambui grabbed the Silver Division title in the Ladies Stableford event with an impressive score of 41 points that was made up of 23 and 18 points.

She won by two points from Susan Kanyora, who carded 39 points, with Susan Mukururi taking the Bronze division with even a better score of 42 points, leaving Catherine Gitonga behind with 40 points.

Salome Kamau was a distant away in third place on 36 points as Njenga Wangendo, playing off handicap 25, had an amazing 44 points thanks to a strong 25 finish at the back nine.

Meanwhile, Lawrence Nganga and Simon Gichuru were separated by a countback with Nganga taking the runner up prize after edging out Gichuru on countback.

The two had posted 41 points each though Nganga had a superior back nine of 22 points against Gichuru’s 16 points. Judy Nyambura and Caroline Njeru took the nines with 22 and 21 points respectively.

Mary Kimemia, though with a low score of 31 points, was still able to take home the prize reserved for the guests. Catherine Wambui and Edward Ndungu were the winners of the nearest to pin contest, as Ben Omondi back from a long leave, celebrated his comeback with the longest drive with Irene Wamoro winning the ladies section.

The event attracted a big field of 171 players who included the De Tour players. The De Tour is a group of golfers who usually travel to play golf in different clubs in the country.

Away in Kakamega, Lydia Oketch triumphed in the Lady Captain’s Prize after posting 35 points. She won by the narrow margin of one point from Nyanza Golf Club’s Elizabeth Akinyi as Phoebe Nyangweso on 29 points was third.

In the men’s section, Bishop Simon Oketch returned the day’s best score of 39 points to lead the men with former club captain Jack Songwa coming home second on 33 points.

The event wound up with the Mixed Foursomes played in the afternoon where the pair of James Mundia and Betty Bisonga posted 32 points to win ahead of Joshua Ashioya and Irene Ashioya, who carded 27 points.

Stephen Amusala and Vivian Amusala went home with the longest drive prizes as Lydia Oketch took the nearest to pin honours. Betty Bisonga and Irine Ashioya won the nines on 18 and 19 points respectively.