The Yale Whiffenpoofs

The Yale Whiffenpoofs (named after a mythical dragon fish) are the oldest collegiate a cappella group in the world. Founded in 1909, the “Whiffs" began as a senior quartet that met weekly at Mory’s Temple Bar, New Haven Connecticut. Today, the group has become one of Yale’s most celebrated traditions and every year 14 of Yale's seniors are selected to be in the group. Singing a mixture of old Yale tunes, jazz standards, and other hits from across the decades, the Whiffenpoofs perform more than 200 concerts across six continents each year.

The Yale Whiffenpoofs will be performing a special concert at the Club on Friday, 23rd June 2023 in the Ballroom.

Book early as this will be a sell-out performance.

Forthcoming Events Diary

Dates and times of events were correct at the time of going to press. They may change post printing so please check with the Events Office when making your bookings.

The Squash section has been busy since the start of the year. We are delighted to be welcoming new players on the courts every week and the section is becoming extremely active. I encourage all squash members to continue to join us at our Mix-in events on the first Wednesday of the month.

Squash vs Tennis Fixture 2023

After a long hiatus the annual Squash vs Tennis fixture returned and was played in January. There were 12 players on either side making this the best turnout ever for this event. We started on the Squash Courts where Squash won 10-2. We then moved onto the Tennis Courts where the Tennis team humbled the Squash players 12-0. Then, in a new mix to the format, we had added a third sport this year - Table Tennis.

The Table Tennis fixture proved to be extremely competitive and went down to the final game, a victory for Tennis would ensure a tie but that match was just clinched by the Squash team, 19 games to 17. This was the most competitive and fun fixture we have played and hugely enjoyed by everyone.

We look forward to more years of the same and plan to add other racquet sport to the event.

Karen Country Club vs Muthaiga Country Club

With the decline of the Club Squash League (the Milligan Cup), the annual MCC vs KCC is our most important annual Club fixture and is always fiercely fought. This year the challenge was hosted by Karen Country Club. MCC fielded a team of eight players in an attempt to regain the trophy after our defeat last year.

Things were looking bleak half way through with Karen leading 4-1. Muthaiga had to win the next three matches to stay alive in the tournament. Safina, Dominic and Kunal all fought valiantly to level the score at 4-4, which meant we had a Sudden Death format, with the four top seeds playing one game each.

Muthaiga squeezed through 3-1 with wins by Jonathan, Dominic and Kunal to secure a spectacular victory for the Club, reclaiming the trophy.

MCC vs Karen Club. Players at the end of the challenge.

Forthcoming Events

Our monthly Mix-in continues on the first Wednesday of the month and all Members are most welcome to join.

Kenya Squash is now actively promoting Junior Squash so please get the children playing again and contact us regarding fixtures and tournaments that are being organised around the country.

After the annual maintenance during December and January play has resumed with a busy schedule of fixtures. Greenkeeper Oliver Fowler and his assistants Newton and Hebron did a wonderful job over the holidays, and the Green is running smooth and true.

The opening competition of the year was the Muthaiga Country Club vs Kenya Irish Society Challenge. KIS fielded a strong team (including some MCC players who claim Irish heritage) and won the trophy for the first time in several years.

At the recent AGM Harvey Herr retired and Clare Jethwa was elected Bowls Captain for the year 2023-24. The Peter VernonEvans trophy for the most improved bowler was awarded to Yolanda Andersen.

We had a terrific St. David’s Day competition in March sponsored by Maureen Lilygreen. Spider winners were Patricia Killian and Peter Allen, Runners-up were the trip Maureen Lilygreen, Newton and Peter Allen, and the winners were Gerry Cunningham and Yolanda Andersen.

The MCC 2-4-2 Pairs, which was contested over two days, and jointly sponsored by Maureen Burns and Lesley Mullan, was won by Maureen Burns and Clare Jethwa. Runners-up were Essie Walker and Sheryl Fowler (pictured below.)

Our first official day/night competition was the annual 2-wood Trips, sponsored by Sheelagh Zagoritis. Five teams participated, and the winners were Gerry Cunningham, Marion Weston and Lesley Mullan, with runners-up Maureen Burns, Gail Langton and Yolanda Andersen. The Spider was won by Yolanda and Oliver Fowler.

There was great excitement when our long-awaited FLOODLIGHTS were finally up and on in February, and a small group stayed late that day to try them out. The verdict was “wonderful”. All the bowlers would like to thank everyone involved in getting the lights installed, not least our outgoing Captain Harvey Herr and the Club Secretary Michael Flint. We are now in a position to start our games at a more convenient time for working members and carry on playing into the early evening and night.

It was with great sorrow that the bowlers learned of the death of Hebron Mushokele’s eldest son in a road accident. Hebron is part of the team that maintains the bowling greens and we extend to him and his family our deepest sympathy and most sincere condolences.

MCC Aussie Open

Sixteen players divided into teams assigned in a random draw to represent four Australian Cities to compete for the annual MCC “Aussie” Mixed Doubles Challenge. After a fiercely competitive session (where most matches were decided by a tie-breaker) Team Perth emerged victorious (1st Pair Johnny Ponsonby & Patsy Chapman and 2nd Pair Rupert McLellan and Aida Nesbitt). Team Sydney (1st Pair Biju Mohandas & Alex Lehmberg and 2nd Pair Adil Suleman & Shivani Patel) were runners-up.

Matata Cup

In the past only married couples were eligible for the Matata Cup. This year we extended eligibility to any combination of immediate family Mixed Doubles pairs. There were 16 participants and the overall winners were Bartol Letica and his 9-year-old daughter Elena.

Matata Cup Winners Bartol Letica and daughter Elena.

Pink Ladies

Ladies’ and Men’s Doubles

Eight Ladies and eight Men played doubles in two separate Round Robin pools, with Katarina Karanja & Tamara Krautkramer winning the Ladies challenge and Tessa McLellan & Georgia Aldridge as Runners-Up

The Men’s challenge was won by Erik Habers & Ali Thobani with Runners-Up Johnny Ponsonby & Michael Flint.

Karen Club hosted the annual MCC vs Karen Ladies Challenge this year. The Muthaiga Ladies traveled across town to defend their title. Each team played three matches in their division; each match consisted of a total of 11 games. The number of games won and lost was recorded for a team total.

At the end of a hot, fun day of excellent tennis, Muthaiga once again emerged victorious with a winning score of 12 matches to 6, and a game score of 115 to 83. Karen Ladies are keen to seek revenge, and we look forward to hosting them on MCC courts next year.

Aida Kimemia Nesbitt Tennis Captain

Forthcoming Fixtures

Winners of Men’s and Ladies’ Doubles. From left - Ali Thobani, Erik Habers, Tamara Krautkramer and Katarina Karanja

The tournament ended with the winning Ladies pair challenging the winning Men’s pair to play the best of five games. It came down to a tie-break decider with the Ladies emerging victorious. Well done to all for their participation and the four players for providing a most enjoyable end of morning event.

The Tennis section holds a Mix-in every Saturday morning from 9am – 11am for all levels. All welcome but players must be able to rally from the base line and serve (over/under.)