Dionedes Thiuri tees away with Barclays prize

 

PHOTO | LARRY NGALA Lady winner Jeniffer Ngure during the fourth leg of the Barclays Golf Circuit at the Machakos Golf Club on September 7, 2013.  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• The overall winner during the grand finale will land a fully-paid for golfing tour on the expansive golf courses of South Africa
• The top 20 will get slots to play at next year’s Barclays Kenya Open Golf Pro Am. From Machakos, the circuit moves to Nyanza Golf Club on September 28

By Larry Ngala

Handicap 28 golfer Dionedes Thiuri beat a field of 135 at the par 72 Machakos Golf Club at the weekend to clinch the overall title during the fourth leg of the Barclays Bank Golf Circuit.

Thiuri, a member of both Machakos and Kenya Railway Golf Clubs, needed only three pars and a two-club for an impressive 44 points made up of identical 22 points in each nine. “I am very happy about this victory, my second in my golfing career,” he said.

“The course was in a great condition today,’’ said the veteran golfer, who will now lead a team of nine golfers including three from Kenya Air Force, to the grand finale at Karen Country Club on February 22 next year.

Former Machakos captain, Fred Kilonzi, playing off handicap 10, finished second on 39 points. Wambua Mila on 38 points beat Collins Kaloki and James Ndunda on countback to finish third. Before Thiuri arrived with his 44 points, Machakos lady captain, Jeniffer Ngure, playing off handicap 18, had earlier on posted 41 points to take a half-way lead and was eventually declared the lady winner. Veronica Nduva finished a distant second in the ladies section on 32.

MEDIA TITLE

Muthaiga’s Anderson Matheka was the top guest on 35, winning ahead of Zupporah Aza on 32. Barclays Bank Director of Consumer Banking, Zahid Mustapha, took the staff prize with a score of 33 points while Larry Ngala took the Media Title with 31 points.

“Personally, I have been impressed by the hospitality at Machakos and I am satisfied that we made the right choice to select Machakos as one of the venues for this year’s Barclays Golf Circuit,” said Mustafa.

The overall winner during the grand finale will land a fully-paid for golfing tour on the expansive golf courses of South Africa, while the top 20 will get slots to play at next year’s Barclays Kenya Open Golf Pro Am. From Machakos, the circuit moves to Nyanza Golf Club on September 28.

Full team from Machakos Golf Club and Kenya Air Force: Dionedes Thiuri, Jennifer Ngure, Fred Kilonzi, Wambua Mila, Collins Kaloki, James Ndunda, Victor Mutwii, S. Wafula, Ambrose Gatuma and Benny Orwako.

WEEKEND GOLF ROUND-UP

Royal - AIG Insurance Golf Day; Winner - Timothy Ngotho, 47 points, Men - Paul Kaumbutho, 45, Kiritkumar Patel, 42, Edwin Obuya, 42, Harman Marwa, 39; Ladies - Raji Mandaliya 44, Wanja Kimani , 40, cb Rachel Koigi, Junior winner - Kimutai Kimosop 38, Guest Njeri Mugo 39, Muchemi Ndungu 38. Staff - Josephat Muindi 35.

Nyali - Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) Golf Day: Overall winner - Symon Wambugu 40 (20, 20); Men - Dinesh Prakash 38, cb Ben Mureithi (20, 18), Dominic Makau 37, G.M. Njuguna 36, Ladies - Diana Munyao 37, cb Sheila Rust 37, Guest - B. Sawani 37, Staff - D. Ooko 30, Senior - Paul Macharia 29, Junior - Daniel Nduva 31.

ICS Golf Day: Overall winner - Allan Mola 40, Men - Joseph Oluoch Joseph Oluoch 38, Arafat Vaiani 37, cb Reaz Alibhai 37, Ladies - Sheila Rust 39, Wanjiru Ikua 37.

Nakuru - James Lorum Golf Day: Overall Winner Steve D’Souza 38, Pancras Kuria 37 cb Charles Angwenyi, Ladies - Esther Karuga 34, Susan Matharu 31, Gross - Njuguna Njoka 27. Piga Mingi Lincoln Miano 12.