Home player Sammy Muraya overpowered a strong field of 212 golfers drawn from the various clubs in the Coast region, to clinch the overall title in the third leg of the 2024 Nation Classic Golf series at the beautiful Nyali Golf and Country Club’s par 71 Course.

Playing off handicap 19, Muraya who started golf in 2021, and whose last victory was during the 2023 SBM Bank tournament, produced an excellent 44 stableford points, to earn himself a trip to Ruiru Sports Club in November during this year’s Nation Classic grande finale.

“I am over the moon, very excited beating such a big field today. I must say I extremely enjoyed playing today, and thanks to the club Captain Dinesh Sasan for presenting a super course’’ said Muraya. Who will be accompanied to Ruiru by six other players who did well in the three divisions.

Those include A division winner Qamber Somji who posted 42 points playing off handicap 10, to beat one of Kenya’s top junior golfers Andrew Wahome who had carded an excellent three under par 68 gross for 41 points. The South Africa based student Wahome dropped only one shot at the seventh hole.

His round included birdies at the fifth and at the back nine’s 11^th, 13^th and 17^th for 19 and 22 points. “I have been playing well lately because of the practise I have been putting, I hope to maintain this form’’ said Wahome who also won the prize for the best gross.

Meanwhile taking the B division title also with a fine score of 40 was Pindolia Dhanji who won ahead of Major Joel Mochanga on 38 points. The C division title went to Dr. Dinesh Soni on 42 points, winning by two points from Randy Cheroiyot who took the second spot.

On the other hand, Samuel Ndunda who carded 36 points emerged as the guest while Narok based Nation correspondent Tobias Messo clinched the staff prize with 40 points, as Salim Tweshe on 39 was awarded the prize for the best senior, and the junior title went to Ayden Jamal who carded 37 points.

Speaking during the prize giving ceremony, Nyali Golf and Country Club Chairman Kamami Njoroge said NMG shares an inception history with Nyali Golf Club as NMG was founded in the year 1959 whereas Nyali Golf Club was established in 1958. A brother and sisterhood of some sort.

“This evening we celebrate the presence of one of our most dependent sponsor and partner. Over the years both institutions have endeared and grown themselves to become noteworthy and unrivalled within their individual realm. The Nation Media Group has ensured that in these days of our lives, despite the tumultuous times we find ourselves in, they remain true, loyal, undefeated, steadfast, unbowed, unravelled. This evening we as Nyali Golf Club are proud and honoured to have hosted this third leg of Nation Media Golf Classic Series’’ said Chairman Njoroge.

Nation Media Group CEO Stephen Gitagama, said: “Golf was no longer a sport of people and we need to encourage and support juniors. On the other hand, for us, the Nation Classic golf series is a way of bringing us together with our partners who have made us survive over the years.’’

He thanked the club for organizing the event well saying the big entry in this year’s tournament confirms the popularity of the series in the region.

By LARRY NGALA