Royal Club’s Dennis Saikwa stormed into the lead with a one shot better on day one of Coronation Trophy, the 7th leg of Kenya Amateur Golf Championships at par 73 Nakuru golf course as Kenya one golfer Kenneth Bollo was disqualified to play on the last day of the tournament for failing to sign his first 18 card.
Playing alongside Vet lab’s Edwin Mudanyi and Surat Sigh of Nakuru and Hillary Kipkosgey from Golf Park, shot four over par gross for a total of 150 for the first 36 holes ahead of Sunday’s final 18 hole.
Saikwa played level par gross 73 and on closing 18, he registered bad results of four over par gross 77 to emerge the leader before the final day.
Saikwa sunk four birdies in a row on holes 13, 14 15, 16 to close second nine with two under gross for a total round of 73.
In the afternoon session, due to hot weather the course became difficult when he played two under par gross on back nine and added six over par on front nine to the afternoon round on 77 gross.
He attributed his win to the playing unit where Mudanyi pushed me from the back.
“Mudanyi and the team ensured my steadiness along the course to finish on a high note,” said Saikwa.
Despite the overnight lead, he complained of a horrible bumpy greens.
“The greens were not putterble. The putting on the greens were hit and hop,” added Saikwa.
Playing on home tuff, John Kamais was second best with five over par 151 followed vet Lab’s Mike Kisia seven over tying with Kiambu’s Mwaura karanga as Railway Club’s Alfred Nandwa completed top five place with eight over.
Despite the large turnout on the course, players complained of bumpy greens after claiming that the Kenya golf Union officials did not supervise the course before allowing the championships to take place.
Led by Robinson Owiti, said that the greens were Day one leader-board
- Dennis Saikwa 150 (73,77)
- John Kamais 151 (79,72 )
- Mike Kisia 153 (80,73)
- Mwaura karanga 153 (75,78)
- Alfred Nandwa 153 (76,76)
Stanley Kirui will be on the tee first with K. Sesenda, Christopher Andrea and G Esto while on the tenth tee, P. Aweyo will be with M Maiyo, M. Mululu and F. Kioni.
After leading on day one, Saikwa will be in the last flight alongside second placed Kamais, third placed Kisia and Karanga.