-John Lejirma floored 146 top leading Amateurs from the East African region to clinch the overall title with a fat cash prize money.
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS.
Kenya’s John Lejirma basks in glory after emerging the 2025 Windsor classic champion at the par 72 Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club course, located on the boundary line between of Nairobi and Kiambu Counties.
The Royal Nairobi golfer often referred to as ‘Samburu One’ playing off handicap index +3.4, Lejirma, who recently relocated to Royal Nairobi club from Kenya Railways club was declared the Champion after amassing a round total of 213 gross.
He played a three over par 75 gross in the first day on Friday, added a brilliant five under par 67 gross on the second day on Saturday before sealing the fate on the last day on Sunday with a one under par 71 gross to carry the overall lead that also saw him earn the fat top cash prize money of Ksh. 115,600.
“I’m truly grateful for winning this event and I want to thank my sponsors especially my own club Royal which I joined recently, organizers NCBA Bank and Betika who made this event possible. It was a great hosting event, the course was extremely amazing compared to two years ago. I am also fresh from the Magical Kenya Open which was a great experience for me where I learned a lot from it. Coming to this event was a gear up and I’m glad to have kept the streak alive. This victory for me is a reminder that hard work pays off and I’m excited for what is ahead, “said Lejirma.
This tournament one which is among the ongoing country wide series in the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) calendar of events is supported by NCBA Bank.
It brought together 146 top leading amateur golfers from Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda for a thrilling 54-hole Stroke Play Championship where only 33 top players and ties made the cut after two rounds to play in the final rounds on Sunday.
Kiambu’s Elvis Muigua playing off handicap index +1.3 was the runners up on a total score of 215 gross after playing 73,70 and 72 gross in the three rounds and went home with Ksh. 69,400, while Muthaiga’s handicap index +0.7 Jay Sandhu recorded a total of 219 gross (71,74,74) for a third place slot and was content with Khs. 46,200 prize money.
It was however a bad weekend for the tournament’s defending Champion Michael Karanga from the home golf club who finished to tie fifth with Kiambu’s handicap index -1.2 Steve Kiaro on a total of 225 gross each behind Rwanda’s handicap index +2.4 Jean D’Amour Hitayezu who had a total of 222 gross.
This event also attracted 6 talented Kenyan female golfers that added an exciting dynamic to the competition where Vipingo Ridge Club’s handicap index + 1.1 Naomi Wafula managed to sit tenth overall but was the top lady in the tournament on a total of 227 gross (76,77,74) and was awarded Ksh. 16,200 prize money.
The rest of her colleagues Kellie Gachaga, Joyce Wanjiru, Margaret Njoki, Diana Mbuba and Jane Waweru unfortunately missed the cut after two rounds on Saturday.
This was a highly sought-after event in the amateur golf calendar that also had a prize pool of Ksh. 500,00 which was shared to 52 top players and ties.
KGU Chairman David Ndungu pointed out that the tournament is officially one of the recognized World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) events that also offered players the opportunity to earn valuable ranking points from the championship.
“The competition was also played in accordance with the Rules of Golf as approved by the R&A Rules Limited, the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Local Rules, KAGC Qualifying Event Requirements, and all other additional local rules as approved by the Tournament Committee, “said Ndungu.
The Chairman expressed his gratitude to the Bank for their continued support and thanked Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club for availing their world-class championship course to host the exciting event where East African top elite amateur golfers showcased their talents.
After this tournament, now the Amateurs focus their eyes for the next leg of the series, the forthcoming Muthaiga Open that will also be a 54 holes three days’ strokes play championship to be played at the par 71 Muthaiga golf club in Nairobi from March 14th to 16th.
TOP TEN LEADERS AND TIES.
John Lejirma-Royal Nairobi golf club +3.4-75-67-71-213 gross –Ksh. 115,600, Elvis Muigua-Kiambu golf club +1.3-73-70-72-215 gross-KSh. 69,400, Jay Sandhu-Muthaiga golf club +0.7-71-74-74-219 gross- Ksh. 46,200, Jean D’Amour Hitayezu-Kigali golf resort & villa +2.4-74-70-78-222 gross, Michael Karanga-Windsor golf hotel & country club +2.3-77-71-77-225 gross-Ksh. 25,500, Steve Kiaro-Kiambu golf club -1.2-70-77-78-225 gross-ksh. 25,500, Daniel Kiragu-Muthaiga golf club -0.0-78-72-76-226 gross-Ksh. 18,933, Joseph Cwinyaai-Uganda golf club +0.5-71-76-79-226 gross-ksh. 18,933, Joseph Kasozi-Kinyara golf club -0.0-69-77-80-226 gross-Ksh. 18,933, Naomi Wafula-Vipingo ridge golf club +1.1-76-77-74-227 gross-ksh.16200.
ENDS.
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