Momanyi wins Railway’s Chairman 2025 prize

Home player Japheth Momanyi sustained good form over the weekend to convincingly win the Kenya Railway Golf Club’s chairman Jonathan Marucha prize.

The tournament was sponsored by CPF Group, Madison Insurance, Capex Life Assurance, Absa, Laser Insurance Brokers and Friends of the Chairman.

A total of 303 golfers participated in the event on Friday and Saturday, which was part of the week-long series of events to celebrate Marucha’s term in office.

Momanyi, playing off handicap eight, had a fantastic weekend, having also won the Clubnite on Thursday, which was part of the chairman’s celebrations.

He promised the host that he would win the main prize and lived up to his word, finishing with an impressive score of 41 stableford points to claim the coveted title.

Even after being kept away from the fairway by a shoulder injury, Momanyi’s passion to secure the win upon his return was unstoppable.

“I had promised the chairman that I would win this prize for him. I am happy, I kept my word on it,” he said. ” I have been on fire and could feel it heading into the course.”

“My drives and putting were on point and the score didn’t disappoint either,” he added.

At the presentation dinner, Marucha handed over to the incoming chairman, Nathan Njuguna, several course maintenance equipment and a children’s TV room as part of his legacy to the club that he has served in various capacities.

The Men’s winner prize was won by Geoffrey Yego with a neat score of 38 stableford points, beating  George Moturi, also with 38 stableford points. Larry Asego settled for the Men’s winner third prize with 37 stableford points.

The fairest among the ladies was Ruth Wanyonyi, the Lady winner with a score of 37 stableford points. Taking the Lady winner second prize was Nyaboke Omwansa with a score of 35 stableford points.

In the past chairmen category, Timothy Ruiru stood out with 31 stableford points, playing off a decent handicap of 8.

Elite home player Joseph Gathumbi won the Gross prize with 72 gross points.

Best among the visiting golfers was the Guest Men winner, Habil Waswani, with 33 stableford points. Sigona Golf Club’s Michelle Muhanda was declared the Guest Lady winner with 36 stableford points.

Youngster Curtis Nzou, playing off handicap 26, carded a score of 34 stableford points to lift the Junior prize.

Larry Asego won the Longest Drive Men contest, with Catherine Odawa winning in the ladies’ section.

At the Happy Valley, Naivasha Sports Club layout hosted a field of 106 golfers for the second Chairman (Ibrahim Karanja) prize.

Staring the day-long tournament was home player, Jonathan Kiplagat, who garnered 41 stableford points playing off handicap 15.

Victor Atwa returned 40 stableford points to emerge as the Men’s winner. Ronnie Muraya came in second with 38 stableford points while Samuel Gitaru was third with 36 stableford points.

Claiming the Lady winner prize was Caroline Kariuki, playing off handicap 32, with a score of 37 stableford points edging out former Lady Captain, Tabitha Kiragu, to Lady winner second with 34 stableford points.

Category C prize was won by Ian Karenju playing off handicap 36 with a score of 37 stableford points. He was followed by Grishon Wainaina and Peter Kanyugo on scores of 35 and 33 stableford points, respectively.

Best among the visiting golfers was the Guest winner, Christine Makela, with 37 stableford points.

Veteran long hitter, Boniface Wakiwa, won the Longest Drive Men prize. Janet Mwangi won in the Ladies division. Fred Mugambi was the Nearest to Pin winner.

“I had promised the chairman that I would win this prize for him. I am happy that I kept my word on it,” Momanyi.