Karanga floors colleagues at Railways, Samami leads juniors at Thika sports and other clubs brought mixed results;
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS;
Kiambu’s Michael Karanga was crowned the 2023 Champion of the Railways Invitational golf tournament that ended at the par 72 Kenya Railways Golf Club course in Nairobi County on Sunday,7th,May,2023.
Karanga returned a combined total of 212 gross to emerge the overall winner and bagged Ksh.108,600 as the winning prize money in the event that attracted top leading Amateurs from the Country and beyond.
The Golfer’s victory came after carding a two under par 70 gross in the first day, added a four over par 76 gross in the second day and finalized with an excellent six under par 66 gross to lead the board.
“I was putting well and my swings were going as planned. But I also had a lot of training and am now more prepared to play even better in the next coming events,”said karanga.
The event is the eight in the ongoing 26 tournaments organized by the Kenya Golf union (KGU) in its 2023 Calendar and was jointly sponsored by NCBA,Crown paints, Telkom, and Kenya Railways.
Karanga’s victory is the fourth after winning the Sigona Bowl,Windsor Churchill and the Muthaiga open in the ongoing KGU golf series being played across the Country.
The Winston Churchill Champion and Home Club’s player John Lejirma emerged the runners up with a total of 223 gross (70-76-77) and walked home with Ksh.65,200.
Ebill Omollo was third with a total of 228 gross (76-73-79) and also got Ksh.43, 500 while Daniel Kiragu sat fourth on 231gross and received Ksh.32, 600.
Other winners among the top ten were Fidelis Kimanzi-233gross (74-81-78)-Ksh.26,100,Stephen Kiaro-234gross (83-75-76)-Ksh.20,650,Mike Ngene-234gross (75-82-77)-Ksh.20,650,Dennis Maara-235gross (75-81-79)-Ksh.16,850,Raphael Leming’ani-235gross (74-82-79)-ksh.16,850gross,John Koina-236gross (78-78-80)-ksh.14,650.
The next KGU series will be at Njoro Country Club from 20th to 21st May ,2023 for the Ronald Marshall and Tobby Gibson Cup and the grand finals shall be held at Nyali Golf and Country Club in Mombasa in December where the Golfer of year 2023 will be crowned.
KGU Vice Chairman and Tournament Director Philip Ochola congratulated Michael Karanga on his amazing victory at the 2023 Railway Invitational and said that his performance was truly outstanding, and have demonstrated remarkable skill and talent on the golf course.
“Many thanks to NCBA Bank and all the sponsors for making this event possible and for your contribution to the growth of golf in Kenya. Your support is truly appreciated. Thank you Kenya Railway Golf Club for providing an exceptional course for the tournament. The hard work and dedication of the club’s staff helped to make this event a resounding success. Once again, congratulations to Michael Karanga on this remarkable achievement. NCBA Bank, Kenya Railway Golf Club –KRGC, Telkom, Kenya Railway Golf Club, Crown Paints – “If You Like It, Crown It”, Kenya Ladies Golf Union, “said Ochola.
DOUGLAS MWALE-IMG KENYA LTD;
One hundred and forty-five junior golfers competed at the fifth leg of the U.S. Kids Golf Spring Local Tour, held at Thika Sports Club on sunday,May 7th, 2023.
The tournament was jointly organized by the U.S. Kids Golf and the Junior Golf Foundation Kenya (JGF), with NCBA Bank as the sponsor.
The tournament provided an excellent opportunity for junior golfers aged between 5 and 18 years old to showcase their skills and compete against their peers in an age-appropriate competition where the players competed across different categories based on age and number of holes played.
In the boys’ categories for those who played 18 holes, Ishan Samani emerged as the winner in the 15-18-years olds age group with 88 gross.
Kushagra Sharma secured second place with 89 gross, while Kiunjuri Mathu finished in third place on 90 gross.
Meanwhile, in the 13-14-year olds age group, Shashwat Harish was declared the winner with 76 gross, followed by Tsevi Soni with 80 gross in second place and Ronan Patel with 84 gross in third place.
In the 12-year-olds age group, Andrew Gathere took the top spot with 74 gross while Tsorav Soni came in second with 76 gross, and Justin Ngeera finished third on 81 gross.
Amar Shah starred in the 11-year olds age group, securing first place with 73 gross, followed by Shay Chauhan with 86 gross in second place, and Alpha Ndungu Njenga with 91 gross in third place.
In the younger boys’ categories for those who played 9 holes, Gitonga Gitobu won with 39 gross in the 10-year-olds age group, while Adam Nesbitt emerged as the winner with 41 gross in the 9-year-olds age group.
Jeff Kibe won the 8-year-olds age group with 43 gross, Ivan Kipyegon Kimutai finished first in the 7-year-olds age group with 41 gross, and Trevvy Mungai emerged as the winner with 41 gross in the 6-year-olds and under age group.
In the girls’ categories for those who played 18 holes, Antonia Mbuthia and Cherise Wachira both scored 93 gross, but Mbuthia was declared the winner in the 15-18-year-olds age group on countback.
Hazel Kuria finished in third place on 104 gross.
In the 13-14-years olds age group, Navya Nagda and Cherono Kipkorir both scored 87 gross, but Nagda was declared the winner on countback. Yolanda Yu emerged third with 93 gross.
In the 11-12-year olds age group, Marya Nyambura emerged as the winner with 88 gross, followed by Sophia Nesbitt with 93 gross in second place, and Jewel Kaisha with 94 gross in third place.
In the younger girls’ categories who played 9 holes, Ashley Muyela emerged as the winner with 45 gross on countback in the 9-10-year-olds age group, beating Aria Dodhia, and Chloe Chiuri finished third with 48 gross.
For the 8-year-olds and under age group, Aarna Mengi took first place with 39 gross, followed by Irene Asiyio with 43 gross in second place, and Leticia Mwangale with 46 gross in third place.
Speaking on the sidelines of the tournament, NCBA Thika Branch Manager Julius Kareithi said, “We are delighted to partner with U.S. Kids Golf and the Junior Golf Foundation to support the development of junior golf in the region. Our commitment to supporting this sport is anchored on the belief that it can create opportunities for young people to develop valuable life skills and achieve their full potential. We are proud to be part of this initiative, which provides a platform for young golfers to showcase their skills and compete against their peers in an age-appropriate competition. We look forward to continuing our support for the growth of junior golf in Kenya.”
The event was an opportunity for junior golfers to qualify for U.S. Kids Golf international tournaments by earning points for Priority Status.
The junior golfers will also be looking to qualify for events such as Regional Invitational and the U.S Kids Golf Regional Championship to be held later on in the year.
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS;
MORE CLUB RESULTS IN BRIEF;
MACHAKOS COUNTRY CLUB;
April 2023 monthly mug powered by Safer power Limited and SBM Staffs;
SBM staff men winner-Richard Ngumeh (17)-71nett,Runners up-John Kigathi (34)-68nett,Staff Lady winner-Glady’s Titi (34)-92nett,Runners up-Rachel kariuki (28)-112nett, Lady winner-Rehema Okal (24)-83nett,Guest winner-Suzanne Wanja (24)-75nett,runners up-Steve Nyamanya (16)-76nett,Division A winner-Mutuku Musyoka (12)-69nett,Runners up-Collins Kaloki (10)-74nett,Division B winner-Charles Kikuvi (19)-69nett,Division C winner-Nathan Ateka (34)-73nett,Runners up-Kathitu Munyao (29)-76nett;
THIKA GREENS GOLF RESORT;
Mugumo Golf Day;
Sponsored by Mugomo Farm;
Overall winner-James Kibogo (11)-42points,man winner-Jotham Wanjohi (21)-40points,runners up-Benson Kimani (17)-39points,lady winner-Ann Kanyori (19)-38points,runners up-Winfred Mugo (20)-34oints,Best Tiger winner-Erick Kibiru (17)-39points,Subsidiary man winner-Teddy Thayu (300-43points,Subsidiary lady winner-Wanjiru Gathecha (42)-38points,First nine winner-Eng.Daniel Kamau (16)-23points,second nine winner-Esther Thal (28)-21points,Longest drive man winner-Joe Mureihi,Longest drive lady winner-Nancy Ndung’u,Nearest to pin man winner-Ndiga Githae,Nearest to in lady winner-Nancy Ndung’u,Best effort winner-Sammy Mwaura (33)-17points;
MUTHAIGA GOLF CLUB;
KASUKU CUP;
Overall winner-Gerald Githinji-40points,Men winner-David Ombisi-40points,Runner up-Philip Kung’u-40points,Lady winner-Suzan Mwangi-38points,Runner up-Beatrice Soy-36points,Guest winner-Chris Isabwa-36points,Runner up-Wycliffe Owino-36points,Sponsor winner-Lawrence Gitonga-35points,Jobese winner-Simon Abiero-33points,Runner up-George Kokoth-32points;
RUIRU SPORTS CLUB;
New Committee;
Men winner-Fr.Mwaura (14)-64nett,Runners up-Timothy Mwaura (24)-69nett,Lady winner-Liz Mwaura (32)-72nett,Runners up-Catherine Gitonga (15)-73nett,First nine winner-Fr.Peter Kiarie (18)-33nett,
Second nine winner-Eric Njagi (25)-32nett, Guest winner-Fr.Gerald Wanjara (17)-73nett, Division 2 winner-Albert Beerman (29)-66nett;
NYALI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB;
NGCC CSR Charity;
Total players-125;
Winner-George Mokua (33)-47points,Runners up-Rajesh Kunverji (17)-41points,Third-Neil Dodhia (26)-40points C/B,Best gross-Omar Lewa (7)-76gross,Guest winner-Martin Mburu (20)-35points,Best first nine winner-Mwai Mariga (30)-21points C/B,Best second nine-Diana Nthiwa (54)-22points C/B;
ENDS;