Mapwanya headed to Magical Kenya Open after Safari Tour win
Zimbabwean Visitor Mapwanya held onto his consistency in the Safari Tour golf series to finally capture his first title of the year in a tough Par 72 Muthaiga Golf Club.
The top eight Kenya and two international golfers confirmed their places for the upcoming Magical Kenya Open to be hosted at the same venue.
Mapwanya who plays for Chapman Golf Club in Zimbabwe carded in the best score of the day to trade places with ‘homeboy’ Greg Snow who dropped to finish second tied with fellow clubmate Mutahi Kibugu and Justus Madoya from the Great Rift Valley Golf club.
After winning the title Mapwanya pocketed Sh300,000 alongside a priceless spot to play in the prestigious Magical Kenya Open.
Commenting on his game at the Muthaiga course where pros hailed the set-up yet termed the course as the most challenging one, Mapwanya said the series was a roller coaster to him.
“Wow, I feel great for winning this tournament, it has been a roller coaster for me and I don’t know how to describe it.
“I have been knocking at the door of every tournament but I’m glad I never lost hope.
“I have played a lower score than Karen’s tour because the course is quite tougher and longer than Karen but despite the challenges, it has been a good competition and I really enjoyed it,” Mapwanya told People Sports.
Mapwanya birdied the 18th to emerge the winner and cancelled a quartet’s tie that would have headed to another playoff after the previous revered Karen leg that was won by Samuel Njoroge through a three-man playoff pitting the Railways club ace, Mapwanya and Justus Madoya.
Justus Madoya was also still in good shape and tied with Muthaiga clubmates duo of Greg Snow and Mutahi Kibugu and as a result, each player pocketed Sh170,000.
Madoya played two under par while Snow dropped shots to play a par as Mutahi Kibugu played one under par to tie on a total of 282 points each.
Mapwanya and Ronald Rugumayo from Uganda grabbed the two international slots to play a the Magical Kenya Open.
