Home golfer Chauhan clinches Safaricom Golf Tour Coast title

• There are six legs remaining before the TYour Concludes
• The final is set for Vipingo Ridge in August
• As part of growing Golf among the juniors in the country, Safaricom has partnered with Junior Golf Foundation to tap and nurture young talent

Nyali’s home-based golfer Kailesh Chauhan clinched the overall title at the Coastal leg of the Safaricom Golf Tour played at the Nyali Country Club after returning 44 points in a field of 246 golfers.

Chauhan capitalized on his home course advantage to post 44 Stableford points to claim the top honors in the competition, beating his closest challengers John Stokes and Mary Kadu who all garnered 40 points to come second.

“First I wish to thank Safaricom for such a wonderfully organized event. I have been practicing for this tournament since last week and this also being my home club, means I understand the course inside-out. I played a great game; had great swings and I am happy to have emerged the winner of this leg of the Tour despite the strong challenge from my opponents,” said Chauhan.

Chauhan carded 24 points in the front nine and 20 points in the back nine courtesy of seven pars and double bogies to beat a field of 222 participants

He becomes the eighth overall winner to book a slot in the finals to be to take place at Vipingo in August. He joins the 70 years old Don Riaroh of Karen, Alice Awiti, former caddie Cyprian Bundi, junior Golfer Leo Gitonga, Zain Manji, Lydia Jebichii, and Simon Kimatu, the winners of the other 7 legs.

Alloyce Ogolla and Rose Njogu with 40 and 39 points finished second and third respectively.

In other categories, Martin Mabuya claimed the Safaricom Staff Award after recording 39 points, with Beatrice Bisonga of Kakamega taking the guest winner award. William Kaguta and Terry Odoh settled for the longest drive contest award.

The Best first nine went to Paul Kinoti, with the best second nine award going to Joseph Kaguru, who garnered 22 and 24 points, respectively. Susan Stokes won Nearest to the pin award.

After Nyali, the tournament heads to South Rift’s Kericho Golf Club on 4th June 2022.

Meanwhile, Alyssa Jamal and Aydan Jamal were crowned overall winners of the Junior Golf tournament.

The two siblings, also students at Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, posted a stunning gross of 83 and 93 points in an eighteen-hole tournament to claim the best girl and boy titles, respectively.

Safaricom PLC Regional sales & Operations, HOD Coast and Nairobi East Region, Elizabeth Wasunna (left), with Nyali Junior Golfers Secretary, Rachael Chebukati, as they award the Overall winners, Alyssa Jamal and Aydan Jamal

The juniors tournament drew 63 junior participants from all the six counties of the Coast including Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Tana River and Taita Taveta.

“I want to thank Safaricom and Junior Golf Foundation for organizing this junior event here in Mombasa. I also thank my brother for winning alongside me in today’s tournament. It is fantastic for the two of us and our parents. My first nine was a little bit tough, I scored nine over, but my second nine was good with two over,” Jamal said after the victory.

Playing in the Boys’ category 7 years and below, Jeff Kibe produced an impressive gross of 51 points to lead Justus Wagura, who finished second with 61 points. Aarna Mengi scored 51 points to beat her closest challenger Irene Asiyo with 56 points in the Girls 8 years and below category.

Meanwhile, Mwai Mariga, scored 100 points to lead his team in the 12 years Boys’ category with an outstanding performance at the course, where finishing second was Larson Odoo with a score of 111 gross.

Alyssa Jamal, the overall Girl winner at the eighth leg of the Safaricom Junior Golf tournament at Nyali Golf Club.

Nathan Mujomba continued to dominate the 13-14 years Boys’ category after an outstanding performance at Karen Country Club. He scored 93 points to lead his team in Nyali, with Abdala Tokal taking the second position.

In the 15 years and above Girls’ category, Rasmeet Kaur emerged as the best girl after scoring 87 points ahead of Harsimran Kaur, who had garnered 93 points. Taking home the 15 years and above Boys’ category was Elvis Nickolas with 100 points.