It was Ladies’ Day at the final leg of the Safaricom Golf Tour as they produced a stunning performance over their male counterpart to dominate the tournament at a very colourful and thrilling event held at the par 72 Royal Nairobi Golf Course.
Elizabeth Njau, playing off handicap 25, overcame a strong field of 305 players to claim the 14th and the last leg of the Safaricom Golf Tour. The Lady golfer maximized every opportunity from her course to card 20 points in the front nine before returning 22 points in the back nine to produce an impressive total of 42 points, beating her closest challengers Wanjiku Maingi and Rebeccah Gikuru on countback.
“I am delighted to have beaten 305 players to win the 14th series of the Safaricom golf tour. The course wasn’t easy, it was challenging, but I stayed focused, just playing my normal game and having a good time with my 4 ball. I am equally happy the victory has allowed me to represent my home club in the finals. Though it has come soon, I will take up the task and start practicing immediately and also getting some tips from my club pro as a preparation for the finals scheduled for next week,” said Elizabeth Njau
Mrs. Njau becomes the third lady golfer to win the overall title of Safaricom Golf Tour after Lydia Jebichii, and Alice Awiti won Nyanza and Eldoret legs, respectively. She joins other winners from the past thirteen tournaments to battle it out in the grand finale to be held next week on Saturday 6th, at Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi County.
Wanjiku Maingi claimed the ladies category title as Rebecca settled for the runners up position.
Taking the top prize in the Men’s Category was handicapped 9 home player Dr. Musa Kipingor with 40 Stableford points after beating Kokaiya Pasha on 38 points.
Limuru’s Golf Club lady golfer Ida Njogu scored 40 points in the guests’ section to win the category title.
Bernice Nginja and Kigen Koitaba emerged winners in the longest drive contest, with Sunil Parmar settling for the nearest to the pin award.
The Junior Golf Foundation Honorary Secretary Rachael Chebuki and Schola Onsogo were named winners of the Best Nines, scoring 23 points.
The corporate tournament also ran alongside the golf outreach dubbed “Golf Mtaani”, held at Toi Primary School in Kibra, with over 50 young people getting an opportunity to learn basic golf skills from Safaricom’s golf professional trainers.
The Safaricom Golf Tour heads to Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi County next week on Saturday for the Grand finale, which will see all the overall winners, Men & Ladies Categories, and Staff winners in all the 14 tournaments held across the country battle it out.
The tournament at Royal Golf Club has attracted 185 juniors taking part in the juniors’ tournament today, Sunday, 31st July, with over 50 aspiring juniors attending the golf clinics at the same facility.
Since its launch, the tour has attracted over 8,500 golfers who have participated in the various tournaments, junior clinics and outreach programmes.
To grow the sport among junior players in the country, Safaricom has partnered with the Junior Golf Foundation to tap and nurture young talent. The juniors can register with the Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) for KES.1,000, which grants them access to play at any golf club in the country.