Newcomer Kandie in Surprise Old Mutual Golf Tournament Win

Golf enthusiasts at the hilly, par-73 Nakuru Golf Club witnessed a stunning upset on Saturday as relative newcomer Roy Kandie clinched the overall title in the prestigious Old Mutual Golf Tournament. Playing off a handicap of 28, Kandie delivered a performance beyond his experience level, carding an impressive 44 stableford points to secure his major maiden victory. Kandie’s win underscores the unpredictable nature of golf, showing that dedication and a good game plan can triumph over experience. His 44 points were the highest of the day, signaling a bright future for the young golfer. "I honestly can’t believe it," said an elated Kandie after his win. "I've been working hard on my short game all week, and for it to pay off with the overall title is just incredible. The course was tough, but I managed to keep my focus and stay positive. This is a dream come true." Division Battles and Top Honors The tournament saw intense competition across all divisions and special categories, with several golfers posting exceptional scores. The second-highest score of the day belonged to Caroline Bwana, who claimed the Division 2 title. Playing off a high handicap of 29, she amassed a superb 42 stableford points. Abel Kimondo demonstrated consistency to take the Division 1 prize. Playing off a 14 handicap, Kimondo finished with a respectable 39 stableford points. The coveted Gross Winner prize went to the low-handicapper Moses Kiragu. Playing off a 6 handicap, Kiragu posted a score of 79 Gross points on the challenging course, highlighting his exceptional skill. In the ladies' category, Judith Mweni was the dominant player. Off a handicap of 31, she scored an excellent 41 stableford points to comfortably win the Lady Winner award. Senior Winner: The prize in the senior category was secured by Stephen Gachiu, who finished with 36 stableford points playing off a handicap of 14. Leading in the visiting golfers category was Patrick Matindi who emerged as the best-performing guest, scoring 38 stableford points off a 12 handicap. The nine-hole awards were tightly contested, with Micah Thuo narrowly edging out the competition to take the Second Nine Winner prize with 23 stableford points, while Simon Kuria was the First Nine Winner with 22 stableford points. In the skills challenges, Raphael Kimani and Ann Nduati showcased power and precision to win the Longest Drive Men and Longest Drive Lady titles, respectively, while Brian Nyaigero was the most accurate, winning the Nearest to the Pin challenge. Speaking at the prize giving gala, Charles Wachira, Head of Retail and Branch Business at Old Mutual Kenya, stated that, "Our continued partnership with Nakuru Golf Club, through the Old Mutual Golf tournament, is a strategic priority that reflects our commitment to holistic financial well-being and customer engagement. This tournament provides an invaluable platform to foster strong relationships with our key stakeholders, demonstrate our local presence, and align our brand with the values of resilience, competitive excellence, and community growth." The Old Mutual Golf Tournament once again delivered a memorable day of competitive golf, showcasing both emerging talent and seasoned skill on the greens of the Nakuru Golf Club.