Taking home ground advantage, John Karanja won the 2019 Nginyo Investment National Caddies Golf Tournament played on par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club on Monday.
Karanja put up a brave fight to claim the title that attracted 183 golfers plus 24 local professionals. Handicap 3 golfer started the day by dropping a shot at the par four-first hole, before making two back-to-back birdies at the third and fourth. He however three putted the fifth to drop his second shot of the day. He then made a birdie at the long par five-seventh to eventually cross to the back nine with one under par.
A fairly long hitter Karanja, picked an early birdie at the 10th, but dropped a shot at the 12th after driving to the fairway bunker. A double at the 14th after hitting a tree on the right followed by a three putts, almost ruined his chances of winning the event though he made an easy birdie at the 18th for a one over par 72 to claim the beautiful Nginyo Investments Trophy.
Winning the nines were J. Nyanduru and M. Njoroge on nett 36 each while J. Gitau and N. Waweru won the longest drive and nearest to pin respectively. In the ladies section, Sigona’s Mary Gathoni retained her title after posting 85 gross, winning by 10 shots from Mary Rogate of Muthaiga. The nett title went to Leah Kahora of Ruiru Sports Club who carded 77 nett to win by one shot from Innocent Mukami and Margaret Wairimu. The nine winners were P. Nduta and Mary Wanjiru on 36 and 30 nett while Sarah Bisera and J. Waweru won the longest drive and nearest to pin prizes.
Leading the professionals was Sigona’s John Wangai who shot level par 71 in the round which included birdies on the fifth and 16th and bogeys over the sixth and 10th. He won by a shot from Golf Park’s David Wakhu while another Golf Park pro Tony Omuli was third with two over par 73 while the Great Rift Valley Resort’s Justus Madoya was fourth on 74. The winner Wangai took home Sh75,000.
This year Nginyo Investments courtesy of veteran professional Lawrence Nginyo Kariuki and his partners Swiss Lenana Mount Hotel sponsored the event to the tune of Sh750,000. Kariuki promised to increase the sponsorship package to Sh1 million next year.
Additional information Daily Nation