-Christmas comes early to Mathenge for wining a brand new car model Proton worth Ksh.4.8 Million after sinking a hole in one at Nanyuki;
MAARUFU MOHAMED-MOMBASA;
Kenya Railway’s John Lejirma carded a total of 212 gross to be claim the 2024 NCBA Nyali Open Champion after emerging the overall winner of the tournament hat ended at the par 71 Nyali golf and Country club course in Mombasa county on Sunday afternoon.
The golfer started in the first day on Friday carding a two over par 74 gross, played an excellent three under par 69 gross in the second day and rounded up with a one under par 70 gross on Sunday to claim the overall lead and walked home with Ksh. 130,000 top prize money.
This victory marks Lejirma’s sixth title in this year’s Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series. His impressive resume includes wins at the NCBA Diani Beach Masters, NCBA Gold Fields Trophy, NCBA Ruiru Open, Ronald Marshal and Toby Gibson Cup, and the Trans Nzoia Open.
As Team Kenya Captain, Lejirma also finished second in the 2024 KAGC standings with 670 points, adding to his 2022 series triumph.
“It has been an incredible day of golf but Iam grateful to have won. The first day was bit tough because of rain but the course is playing well and ell maintained. I have looking forward for the victory and will continue to work hard for more victories next year, “said Lejirma who has also earned a slot to play in the Magical Kenya Open next year.
The three days 54 holes’ tournament supported by NCBA marked the end of this year’s 28th Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) golf series organized by the Kenya Golf Union (KGU).
Lejirma was ahead by a seven strokes difference to second placed Kiambu’s Michael Karanga who has already quailed to be named this year’s Golfer of the Year Champion.
Karanga finalized the tournament on a combined total of 219 gross after playing 69-73 and 77 gross and was awarded Ksh. 78,000 as the second prize money.
Despite his runner-up finish at Nyali, Karanga continued to dominate the 2024 KAGC season, securing the overall title with 834.5 points from 18 tournaments.
His nine victories this season include notable wins at the Uhuru Shield, NCBA Kiambu Golf Open, NCBA Manchester Salver, NCBA Kenya Railways Invitational, and NCBA Coronation Cup, among others.
Karanga’s consistent excellence earned him automatic qualification for the 2025 Magical Kenya Open.
Golf park’s Sammy Mulama and Felix Dusabe from Rwanda tied for the third slot on a total of 225 gross each and both were separately rewarded Ksh. 45,500.
The tournament that was graced by among others the KGU Chairman David Ndung’u attracted 96 top leading Amateurs including ladies from the Country, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania with handicap index of 15.4 of less who played two rounds before 47 made the cut to sail to the finals in the third round.
Ndung’u said, “We are immensely grateful to NCBA for their continued support throughout the year. Their sponsorship has been instrumental in the success of the NCBA Kenya Amateur Golf Championship and in the growth of golf in Kenya and the region.”
“NCBA’s commitment to nurturing talent has allowed many players to showcase their skills, and we’ve witnessed exciting new faces rising to the top. The performances of players like Michael Alunga, William Odek, Josephat Rono, and Felix Dusabe are proof of the positive impact NCBA has had on the sport,” he added.
Club captain Dinesh Sasan thanked the golfers for gracing the tournament hoping that all has enjoyed playing at the well-groomed and a real championship layout course and promised to make more improvements to attract more tournament.
“We at the club are really thrilled to see the tournament end successfully and hoped that we have really our best to ensure all is excellent both in and off the course.
Golf Kenya Federation (GKF) President Philip Ochola said the event has been all inclusive with top Lady Amateurs participation and will ensure to support more to improve the sport.
“We shall continue to support golf for all in the Country including the juniors so that they can make it to competitive tournaments across the World, “said Ochola.
NCBA’s group Director Marketing, Communication and Citizenship Nelly Wainaina said the Bank was thrilled to see the series end successfully and thanked all who made it possible.
“We shall continue to support sport and make it grow through bringing in more players including Ladies and juniors in to play golf which is now paying for golfers who play well, “said Wainaina.
Meanwhile Christmas came early to Francis Mathenge for receiving a brand new car model Proton worth Ksh.4.8 Million from Simba Corporation limited after sinking a hole in one at hole 18 par 3 in the Nisiri Ventures golf tournament played at Nanyuki Sports Club over the weekend.
Handicap 25 Ian Kirimi was the overall winner on 48 points while handicap 11 Vijay Limbu was the men winner on 40 count back points after tying on the same score with handicap -1 Cyprian Bundi who claimed the runners up spot.
Purity Githui playing off handicap 18 was the lady winner on 33 points and handicap 25 Helen Kurutu brought 30 points to win the second slot and handicap 5 D. Munyeki from Nyahururu sports club was the guest winner on 35 points.
TOP TEN LEADERS NCBA NYALI OPEN 2024;
John Lejirma-Kenya Railway-74-68-70-212gross, Michael Karanga-Kiambu-69-73-77-219gross, FelixDusabe-Kigali-77-71-77-225gross, Sammy Mulama-Golf Park-73-74-78-225gross, Isaac
Makhoha-Kenya Railway-80-74-72-226gross, Charles Rob-Nyali-77-76-74-227gross, Gurbax Singh-Nyali-75-80-72-227gross, William Odek-Nyali-75-76-76-227gross, John Timbe-Nyali-78-77-73-228gross, Joseph Regan Akena-Lugazi-75-78-76-229gross, Jacques Byiringiro-Kigali-72-73-84-229gross.
ENDS;
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