Overall winner Jatin Sonecha ( left) proudly displays his trophy. Above: Division ‘C’ winner George Ogutu takes a powerful swing during the tournament, which attracted more than 70 golfers. (Photos by a Correspondent)
BY THE ARUSHA NEWS REPORTER
Veteran golfer Jatin Sonecha produced a spectacular display of skill, experience and composure to walk away with the top prize and a ticket to Dubai, at the third edition of the Four Points by Sheraton Arusha, The Arusha Hotel Golf Tournament after returning an impressive 42 points at Arusha Gymkhana Club, last Saturday.
Sonecha put together a well-judged round, keeping his scorecard ticking and holding his nerve as the competition intensified around the course. His consistency proved decisive, allowing him to pull clear of a competitive field and claim the overall crown in the annual tournament played on August 15.
The victory carried an added touch of drama, with Sonecha revealing that he had predicted his triumph even before stepping onto the course.
“I was supposed to travel to Nairobi but was convinced to change my mind and I said I would win the championship… and indeed I did it,” an elated Sonecha said during a colourful and well-attended prize-giving ceremony.
Sonecha dethroned last year’s champion Cyril Brown.
In Division One, Najmi Burhanuddin held his nerve to top the field with 36 points. Lina Francis and Christopher Botha both returned 33 points, forcing the contest to countback, where Francis edged ahead to take second place while Botha settled for third.
The margins were even finer in Division Two. Murad Jivan emerged victorious with 35 points, but the fight for second place could hardly have been closer. Mahmood Somji and Sheetal Aggarwal were locked together on 34 points before countback handed Somji the runner-up spot, leaving Aggarwal in third.
Division Three produced another eye-catching performance, with George Ogutu firing 39 points to comfortably take the category. Andries Neethling followed with 36 points, while Ranbir Sidhu completed the podium on 35.
For defending champion Brown Cyril, however, the course was far less generous this time around. The form that had carried him to the title a year earlier proved elusive as he returned 29 points in Division Two, bringing his reign as champion to an end.
The tournament attracted more than 70 golfers, transforming the Arusha Gymkhana course into a lively arena of competition, precision and patience as players battled not only for divisional honours but also for the coveted overall prize.
Mr Krishna Suri, General Manager of Four Points by Sheraton Arusha, The Arusha Hotel, applauded the golfers for both the quality of competition and the sportsmanship displayed throughout the championship.
“We are proud to associate ourselves with the Arusha Gymkhana Club in sponsoring the annual event,” he said during the prize-giving ceremony. Among those in attendance was Arusha Gymkhana Club Chairman Kassim Somji.
