Twenty-year-old Kenneth Muraya from Nakuru Golf Club carded an excellent round of 39 points during his club’s leg of the 2022 NCBA Golf Series on Saturday to claim the win in the Division One category of the event. He becomes the first junior golfer to claim the category win in the Series, joining an illustrious list of juniors from last year’s Series who have recorded a similar feat.
Playing off handicap 11, he carded 18 points on the first nine to combine with 21 on the back nine to clinch the category win on countback, ahead of club mate David Kiiru, playing off handicap six, who finished second with a similar points haul. For his part, David, who won the Nakuru leg of the NCBA Golf Series last year, carded 19 and 20 points on the first and second nine respectively.
Speaking after the event, Kenneth thanked NCBA for the opportunity to take part in the Series saying he looks forward to playing at the Series grand finale. His win is a confirmation that the future of Kenyan golf is in the hands of junior golfers and justifies NCBA’s continued focus on the development of Junior golf in Kenya. A commitment which NCBA Group Director, John Gachora, reiterated at the launch of the 2022 series earlier this year.
“The NCBA Golf Series has the objective of growing and supporting the sport not only for adults but also for our juniors. We will continue to provide a platform for junior golfers to develop their skills and qualify to compete at international events,” he said.
In the second division, Gurtej Sahota – playing off handicap 20 – claimed the win in the category having carded a round of 39 points. His score was a shot better than Robert Obondy’s – playing off handicap 22, who finished runner-up in the category.
In the first nine, Gurtej carded 23 to combine with a second nine score of 16 points; while Robert carded 18 on the first nine to combine with 20 points from the second nine to finish the round with 38 points.
Among the lady golfers, Susan Ikua, playing off handicap 25 – and who was the 2021 NCBA Golf Series lady winner at the Nakuru leg, emerged the winner having carded 34 points courtesy of first and second nine scores of 16 and 18 points respectively.
In the Junior golfers’ category, 11-year-old Peter Gathogo, playing off handicap 28, was crowned the winner with 35 points. With his win, he joins Susan, Gurtej, and Kenneth in securing a slot to play at the Series’ grand finale which will be held later in the year. The top-four finishers at the grand finale will win an all-expenses-paid trip to the Fan Court Golf Estate in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Luther Kamau emerged the gross winner having carded a round of 33 points courtesy of first and second nine scores of 16 and 17 points respectively. Among the seniors, Njuguna Njoka, who played off handicap five was crowned the winner in the category after he finished his round with 30 points.
Among the guests, Chege Macharia from Nyahururu Sports Club – who played off handicap 15 – was crowned the category winner after closing his round with 39 points courtesy of a first nine score of 21 points and second nine score of 18 points.
In the nines, Kiprotich Kemboi and Wesley Kihumba were first and second nine winners respectively.
The Nakuru Golf Club leg was the fifth event in the 2022 NCBA Golf Series calendar; having been held at Railways, Nyanza, Kitale and Lake Victoria Serena Golf Clubs. A field of 115 golfers took part at the event – a commendable outing given golf tournaments that were taking place in Njoro and Kericho on the same day.
Speaking at the prize-giving event, Stephen Gakuya, NCBA Group’s Deputy Director for Business Banking thanked the golfers for making the event a success, adding that the Series continues to confirm Kenya’s golfing potential.
“This series has so far seen incredible achievements from many golfers. We have seen some very intense competition that shows great promise for the future of our sport across Kenya,” he said.
The Series now moves to the Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort on the 4th of June this year for its sixth leg.