Female golfers dominate Defence Forces Tournament

By Tobby Otum

Playing at 39 handicap a Kenya Navy Captain won this year’s Kenya Navy Commander golf day tournament played at the Mombasa golf club in Mombasa county after posting 43 points.

The KDF Captain, Mesaidi Maarifa was crowned winner after bagging 20 points in the first nine holes and 23 points in the second nine holes beating the odds with a difference of two points.

The one day event was a major tournament in the coast region which had attracted 140 golfers with the National Bank of Kenya [NBK] being the main sponsor.

The winner registered her first victory during the open day tournament graced by Kenya Navy Commander Maj Gen Jimson Mutai who presided over the awards ceremony flanked by NBK Managing Director Peter Kioko where the tournament trophy board was unveiled to commence the annual event at the golf club.

KDF’s Major Joel Mochanga won the runners up trophy after posting 41 points during the tournament in which Kericho Tea, Madison Assurance and Nyali Sun Africa beach were subsidiary sponsors.

Playing on 23 handicap he managed to score 18 points in the first nine holes and 23 points in the second nine holes to win the runners up trophy.

***Mombasa Golf Club chairman Ken Mwangi speaking during the awarding ceremony for this year’s Kenya Navy Commander golf day tournament played at the Mombasa golf club in Mombasa County.***

KDF’s Major Charles Kahariri playing on 21 handicap won the third position of the day’s tournament after positing 40 points.

KDF’s Senior Sergeant Patrick Odhiambo won the third award after positing 37 points playing on 22 handicap.

Brigadier Lawrence Gituma won the tournament’s male award after posting 34 points playing on 22 handicap with Sergeant Faith Muteti winning the female award in the tournament after posting 36 points playing on 25 handicap.

Speaking at the awarding ceremony, the golf club chairman Ken Mwangi said they have embarked on an ambitious project of irrigating the entire golf course.

He told the ceremony that plans are at an advanced stage to embark on the first phase which will give the course sustainable supply of water.

“The first phase of the project will be an expensive undertaking but we wish to call for partners to achieve our endeavor,” he said.

National Bank of Kenya [NBK] Managing Director Peter Kioko speaking during the awarding ceremony for this year’s Kenya Navy Commander golf day tournament played the Mombasa golf club in Mombasa County.

Kioko said the organization is committed to promote the sports discipline in the county and assured the forum they will sponsor next year’s tournament. The Kenya Navy Commander applauded the standard of golf displayed during the tournament and lauded the number of interested golfers in the forces which has increased.