Zain Manji claimed Safaricom Golf Tour, his first major title, after he returned a total of 19 Stableford points in the first nine and 22 on the second nine, totaling an impressive 41 points at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf course the second weekend of March. Manji, playing off handicap nine, parred the fifth, seventh and eighth at the front nine.He then picked up a par at the par five-10th, dropped shots at the 11th and 12th, made an awful six at the par three-13th, but parred the 14th and 15th.He birdied the 17th and closed with a par at the 18th to win the overall title by two points.

“I have been playing here since I was young but I have never won such a big event like the Safaricom one. I am so excited that my game was good today,” said Manji in his victory speech.

“Getting an opportunity to feature in the third leg of Safaricom Golf Tour and emerging the overall winner in such a tough course gives me pleasure and great hope in my future golfing career.It is indeed heart-warming to get a chance to compete with the best of the tournament. I believe it will give me an opportunity to learn and gain more skills and experience,”  he added.  

Anthony Wachira shot 38 points to finish second in the men’s section, while Lucy Njoroge clinched the ladies top prize after posting an impressive score of 40 points.

I have been playing here since I was young but I have never won such a big event like the Safaricom one. I am so excited that my game was good today.

Taking the staff prize was Lee Mungai with a score of 39 points.Bernice Nginja and Hill Kip took the longest drive titles, while winning the nearest to pin prize was Christina Andersen.  MwaiMbuthia won the best nine overall with a score of 23 points. The winning caddie was Peter Maina.

Manji joins former caddie, Cyprian Bundi who won the opening leg at Nanyuki Sports Club and 15-year-old Leo Gitonga who clinched the Limuru edition.

The winners in the three legs will be joined by others from the remaining eleven events at the grand finale at Vipingo Ridge’s Baobab Course in Kilifi County in August.

“Safaricom has been supporting the game of golf for a number of years in the country, but we chose to support the initiative the Junior Golf Foundation has embarked on because we believe it is the best route to producing more junior players with talent such as Njoroge Kibugu, who at his age was able to take on the more experience professionals during the recently Magical Kenya Open,” said Ndegwa.

Speaking during the prize giving ceremony, Safaricom CEO, Peter Ndegwa, said the series is expected to play a big role in developing the game in the country. The event attracted over 200 players.