Major Mochanga claims the Commander Kenya Navy trophy in Mombasa

Major Joel Mochanga was a proud man after emerging the overall winner of the 2023 Commander Kenya Navy golf tournament played at the par 71 Sea-Link Mombasa Golf Course in Mombasa County on Saturday.

Playing off handicap 14, Mochanga carded 39 stableford points to claim the Trophy in the Kenya Defense Forces Golf Association (KDFGA) Division one category.

“I have been practicing hard for this event which has paid off with this victory and I hope to defend it next time. I would also like to thank the club for maintaining such a good course which we have enjoyed,” said Mochanga.

He beat his club mate handicap 5 Sergeant Aaron Wanyama to the runners up slot by a nine point’s difference while handicap 8 Captain Brian Tororei was third on 25 points.

The daylong 18 holes tourney that brought together some 150 golfers from the home club and across the Country was jointly sponsored by Kingdom Bank,Fosroc Construction solutions  and  Crown Paints.

KDFGA  division two winner  was handicap 21 Major Epapra Lagat  with a sterling 41 points  while  Brigadier Joseph Muracia  playing off handicap 20  returned a  score of 39 points  to claim  the runners up slot  and taking the  third place was handicap 28 Lt.Col.Rumo  with 38 points.

Handicap 28 Sergeant Faith Muteti survived on a count back score of 35 points to emerge  the  KDFGA  Lady winner after tying on the  same score with  runners up placed  handicap 28  Grace Kwamboka.

The  Club’s Captain  James Gitonga  playing off  handicap 17  was the Member men winner  on a count back score of 42 points  while  the same  for the  lady was  won by  the club’s former Lady captain  handicap 22 Glady’s Kasi who returned a score of 39 points.

Handicap 7 Ndiga Kithae from Thika Greens Resort Golf club returned a score of 31 points to win the Guest Man prize while handicap 29 Nancy Gatwiri on 43 points was the lady winner of the same category.

Kenya Navy Golf team Captain Major Epapra Lagat who was the host thanked the golfers, sponsors and the Club for hosting the tourney successfully and assured them next year it will be great.

“I am very much impressed by the turn out of the golfers and friends who participated in the Commander Kenya Navy Golf Trophy 2023. The course was in a good condition and the weather was friendly.The Navy team did me proud by securing most of the winning prizes, as well as carding in impressive points.We are determined to defend this trophy in the next KDFGA Golf tournament that will take place next month in Naivasha at the Great Rift Valley Lodge. We welcome you all once again, to join us and participate in this event,"said Lagat.

Meanwhile Kericho Club Captain Ignatius Kiptoo team of Chris Birgen, Raymond Keter and Erastus Orina basked in glory after emerging the overall team winners at the 10th leg of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour played at the Kericho Golf Club Course on Saturday.

“I am elated to be in the winning team today. I did not play very well, especially at hole number 8. However, my four ball team was a formidable team, that’s why we made it to the podium. We know that the grand finale is not too far away so we will embark on a rigorous training schedule to ensure that we compete with some of the best golfers from around the country,”said Kiptoo.

The team carded a combined score of 112 points to beat the runners up placed team of Richard Korir, Onesmus Maritim, Kipkirui Langat and John Sang who had a combined score of 110 points.

The two teams join 9 other teams that have already booked a slot in the grand finale.

Handicap 16 golfer Charles Siele with 43 was the individual overall winner of the tourney that had a field of 104 golfers.

Handicap 49 Raymond Bii was the overall men’s winner on 39 points while handicap 26 Joan Mitei clinched the lady winner’s prize also with 39 points.

Muthaiga golf club’s Sam Gathura  carded 36 points  to emerge the Guest winner while lady golfer Millicent Melo with 36 points  and  handicap 36 Ivan Kiprono on 30 points were the staff and junior winners respectively.