Home player Peter Rugu Njoroge fired 42 stableford points to lift the inaugural Unicolour Golf Tournament Series at the scenic Ruiru Sports Club on Saturday.
The feat saw the handicap 19 hard hitter floor other 239 contestants to the throne that had the grand ultimate prize, a complete home makeover by the sponsors.
However, no participant made away with the other prizes on offer which included two hole-in-one awards at the par-three third and 11th holes.
“Today was just one of those lucky days, I even teed off without pressure,” underlined Rugu who embraced golf 20 years ago while living in Burundi.
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“My drives were straight, everything nestled well on the fairways,” explained Rugu who joined Ruiru in 2013 upon his return to Kenya.
And how did he prepare for the thrilling showpiece?
“I worked on my short game. The short game was very key in everything. I sharpened my sinking, chipping and putting. Actually, I can’t remember where I putted three times on the course today. I worked on my short game before this tournament because that is what determines the number of strokes one is going to play on the course, to increase their chance for victory,” he explained.
When asked how he feels to be the first winner of the series that is slated to traverse various Kenyan counties, Rugu stated: ” It really feels good to have triumphed in this opening leg of the championship. I haven’t won anything major for a while so I really feel great. I can’t wait to choose fancy colours with my family for our complete home makeover. I can’t wait to see how our house will be ultimately transformed.”
“I’m also grateful for the tournament organisers for coming up with such a priceless idea of transforming homes into ‘palaces’,” he added.
The Ruiru leg was the beginning of a series of events that will culminate with a grand finale later in the year.
From Ruiru, the series will head to Kisii then Nakuru. The circuit will also grace other major courses around the country as it seeks to set an indelible mark on the local golfing scene.
” The series is meant to bring us closer to our clients and customers nationwide.
“The circuit also provides a platform for people to play a round of golf as they interact, mingle and network,” noted Unicolour Chief Executive Officer Stephen Moche.
Some of the entities supporting the series includes Sali, Spintel Aluminum, Faida Homes, MTS Eventive Solutions and Customized Aviation.
Inaugural Unicolour Golf Tournament Series results in Ruiru
1.OVERALL WINNER: PETER RUGU HCP 19, 42 PTS
2.MEN WINNER: DOMINIC MATHU HCP 21, 40 PTS
3.MEN RUNNERS UP: J G GICHOHI HCP 27, 39 PTS
4.LADY WINNER: PAULINE MUNGAI HCP 17, 42 PTS
5.LADY RUNNERS UP: ABIGAEL MELITA HCP 30, 41PTS
6.FIRST NINE MEN: PETER GITHINJI HCP 23, 35 PTS
7.SECOND NINE MEN: HENRY MWAURA HCP 21, 22 PTS
8.FIRST NINE LADY: VERONICA MWAURA HCP 26, 21 PTS
9.SECOND NINE LADY: MARION NGARUIYA 24 HCP 21, PTS
10.SPONSOR WINNER: STANLEY WAINAINA HCP 20, 40 PTS
11.JUNIOR WINNER: MITCHELL NGINA HCP 31, 37 PTS
12.GUEST MEN WINNER: PAUL KARANJA HCP 27, 48 PTS
13.GUEST LADY WINNER: SHARON NYAMBURA HCP 35, 37 PTS
14.GROSS WINNER: JOSPHAT KAUNDA HCP 6, 30 PTS
15.DIV 2: PAUL NJARAMBA HCP 38, 41 PTS
16.NEAREST TO PIN MEN: PETER NDICHU
17:NEAREST TO PIN LADY, JANE NDIRANGU
18.LONGEST DRIVE MEN: PETER MWAURA
19.LONGEST DRIVE LADY: PAM NKIROTE