Kenya: Indiza Rallies to Claim Top Prize in Arusha Tour

Larry Ngala

14 May 2011

Nairobi — Mumias Sugar’s Dismas Indiza produced the final round fireworks to clinch the fourth leg of the 2011 KCB East Africa Golf Tour at the par 72 Arusha Gymkhana Club course on Saturday.

The long-hitting Indiza, who started the final round two shots behind the leader Greg Snow, shot a brilliant seven under par 65 to claim the top prize of Sh198,000. In the KCB Bank Tanzania Open tournament with an all rounds total of 16 under par 272.

Though he has been leading in the series after collecting points in each of the three events already played, this was his first victory.

“The wind was very strong compared to the other three rounds, but I was able to contain it,” said Indiza.

It was a splendid and a bogey-less round for Indiza, a round which included two eagles at the eighth and 15th with birdies at the third, sixth, and 10th for a combination of 32 and 33.

Three birdies

He won the tournament by two shots from pacemaker Greg Snow from Muthaiga who bogeyed five holes and produced only three birdies and an eagle for a final round 69 and a total of 274m to take home Sh145,000.

Thika Sports Club’s Simon Ngige, the winner of the first and third leg, finished third on 278 after a level par 72. Like Indiza, Ngige eagled two holes and picked up birdies at the ninth and 15th with bogeys at the seventh and 10th holes.

“I made several bad shots today, missing a couple of fairways” said Ngige who is the series defending champion.

Defending champion Deo Akope of Uganda shot two under par 70 for 280 but this could only make him finish in joint fourth with Richard Ainley who fired four under par 68 to also wind up on 280.

Sudden death

“I just could not putt today. I had as good chances as the top two,” said Akope, who last year beat both Ainley and Ngige in a sudden death play off to win the title in Arusha.

Ali Kimani and Brian Njoroge were two shots further behind on 282. Kimani shot one under par 71 while Njoroge carded four under par 68.

Njuguna Ngugi who started with a poor 75 in the first round, shot a superb seven under par 65 to tie in eighth place with Nicholas Rokoine on 284 and the only the only local pro olais Mollel shot two under par 70 but that could only take him up to 18th place on 293.

The amateurs who included about 20 players from Muthaiga Golf Club who are in Arusha for their annual match with Arusha Gymkhana, were still battling it out for the amateur crown.

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