Muraya crowned division one winner at Nakuru NCBA golf leg

Home golfer Kenneth Muraya carded an excellent round of 39 points during Nakuru Club’s leg of the 2022 NCBA Golf Series on Saturday to claim the win in the Division One category.

The 20-year-old becomes the first junior golfer to claim victory in the category this year, joining an illustrious list of juniors from last year’s Series who recorded similar feats.  

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 clubmate David Kiiru, playing off handicap six, who finished second with a similar points haul.

For his part, Kiiru, who won the Nakuru leg of the NCBA Golf Series last year, carded 19 and 20 points on the first and second nine respectively. 

Muraya, while thanking NCBA for the opportunity to take part in the Series said he looks forward to playing at the Series grand finale.

“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,” NCBA Group Director, John Gachora, offered.

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 Muraya 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. The Series now moves to the Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort on the 4 June for its sixth leg.