Ibrahim bags maiden victory in Chairman's (Njoroge Kamami) prize at Nyali

Sometimes it’s not really easy to balance work with sports especially when you are still a youth and coupled with several other social environments challenging your lifestyle.

This becomes even more complicated when you are a Medical Doctor, one of the Professions that requires essential services most of the times and some critical medical issues and emergencies that requires urgent attentions no matter in weekends or late at night

But a youthful Mombasa Medical Doctor Abdulkadir Ibrahim had to take a decision to keep healthy and defied all odds to balance his professional work by joining the Nyali golf and country club membership to engage in the sport of golf.

For the last eight years, Ibrahim did not look back but continued practicing or playing in any tournament at the club course or seafront especially on Saturdays with no win but never gave up.

This decision paid off when the drought for victory finally ended after Ibrahim surprised a team of 257 golfers to emerge the overall winner and register his maiden victory in the Chairman’s (Kamami Njoroge) Prize golf tournament played at the par 71 Nyali golf and Country club course on Saturday.

Playing off handicap 26 Ibrahim came as usual just to enjoy the game but turned out to be his best day of golfing after recording an excellent 45 stable ford points to clinch the club Chairman’s (Njoroge Kamami) Prize trophy in the tournament played at the club’s par 71 course in Mombasa county on Saturday.

“What a pleasure and surprise to be standing here tonight. I would like to thank the green's staff for presenting the course in such good condition, my playing partners for their company on the day and the sponsors who in these tough financial times managed to put together such an incredible tournament. I could not be happier to be the overall winner after a long wait and hope to be better in the forthcoming days, “said Ibrahim.

For his effort, the golfer was awarded a return ticket from Mombasa to Dubai for two worth an estimated Ksh. 180,000 by Fly Dubai, a golf trolley, two nights’ full board at Bahari Beach hotel and some gifts from Tropical heat.

The tournament organized to celebrate the club’s Chairman Kamami Njoroge’s two years’ tenure in office brought together golfers from the home club, Coast golf clubs, up country golfers and friends of the chairman with valid handicaps.

It saw Kenya’s legendary lady golfer Rose Naliaka playing off handicap 11 emerge the best gross winner with a six over par 77 gross.

Nyundo Katemboh playing off handicap 27 was the Men winner on 41 points beating handicap 16 Anthony Lithimbi to the runners up slot by a single point difference.

Naliaka was at it again surviving on count back to claim the lady winner’s prize after recording a count back score of 41 points, tying on the same score with runners up placed handicap 23 Lynette Oketch.

The best senior prize on 36 points and the best junior with 37 points were won by handicap 23 Murtaza Saeed and handicap 10 Aydan Jamal respectively while Sandrah Githere of Mombasa golf club playing off handicap 19 carded 38 points to win the guest prize.

Handicap 10 Mary Kandu was the best main committee winner on 37 points and handicap 15 Taib Bajaber went home with the best past chairman prize after recording 33 points.

The high handicappers of 29 plus for men prizes on 39 points and the same of 36 plus for ladies were won by handicap 30 Eng. Willis Ingari and handicap 42 Pervis Barnsley respectively.

The club’s outgoing Chairman Kamami Njoroge who was showered with praises from the club Captain Dinesh Sasan on behalf of the board, former club captains, chairmen and staff thanked all for their support during his tenure in office.

“This has been an amazing day with the largest numbers of the golfers and my supporters in the tournament for the success of the tournament. And for the Club board, Past Captains, chairmen and staff , it has been a great team and I remain forever grateful to you all. We have increased the numbers of membership, constructed a modern changing room and with the help of my former colleague Taib Bajaber, we have extended the lease of the club to 50 years. Please continue giving the same support to the incoming team, “said Njoroge.

Elsewhere at Thika Green golf resort also on the same day, handicap 26 Mbuthia Irungu carded 43 points to emerge the overall winner of the Club Captain (Henry Kinyua) prize tournament.

Wanyama playing off handicap 6 was the gross winner with 74 gross while handicap 26 Willy Gikonyo carded a count back score of 42 points to win the Men prize, tying on the same score with runners placed handicap 18 Hamisi Hassan.

The Lady winner was handicap 28 Stella Mwende who survived on a count back score of 42 points from handicap 32 Liz Mwende who was the runners up.

Handicap 17 Dr.A. shitsseswa brought 42 points to win the Member man prize and the same prize for the lady was won by handicap 22 Betty Mutua who had the same score of 42 points.

Leon Moffat playing off handicap 27 was the guest men winner after recording 40 points and handicap 35 Wanjiru Gathecha was the guest lady winner with 38 points.

The subsidiary men winner on 42 points and the same prize for the lady with 45 points were won by handicap 54 Laban Kariuki and handicap 43 Lilian Kanyita respectively while handicap 18 Njau Ngang’a went home with sponsor’s prize after recording 36 points.

FULL RESULTS CHAIRMAN (KAMAMI NJOROGE) PRIZE NYALI

Overall winner-Abdulkadir Ibrahim-(26)-45 points.

Best gross winner-Rose Naliaka-(11)-77 gross.

Men winner-Nyundo Katemboh-(27)-41 points.

Runners up-Anthony Lithimbi-(16)-40 points.

Lady winner-Rose Naliaka-(11)-41 points C/B.

Runners up-Lynette Oketch-(23)-41 points.

Best senior-Murtaza Saeed-(23)-36 points.

Best Junior-Aydan Jamal-(10)-37 points.

Guest winner-Sandrah Githere-(19)-38 points.

Best main committee-Mary Kandu-(10)-37 points.

Best past chairman-Taib Bajaber-(15)-33 points.

High handicappers 29-men winner-Eng. Willis Ingari-(30)-39 Points.

High handicappers 36+lady-Perviz Barnsley-(42)-33 points.

Nearest to the pin men winner-John Orioro-3.4 feet.

Nearest to the pin lady winner-Sandrah Githere-1.7 feet.

Longest drive men winner-Anthony Lithimbi.                         

Longest drive lady winner -Rose Naliaka.