-But Karanga crowned 2023 Golfer of year and qualified to play next year’s Magical Kenya Open;
MAARUFU MOHAMED;
Kenya’s Michael Karanga missed the 2023 Nyali Open Title by a single stroke to Ugandan Amateur Godfrey Nsubuga during the finals that ended at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club Course in Mombasa County on Sunday afternoon.
Karanga who was the day one and day two leader on Friday and Saturday with a six overs and a one under par was able to play a level par in the final day for a total of 217gross.
He missed the overall title by just a single stroke from Nsubuga who collected 218 gross from a one under par in the first day, a three overs in the second day and the same score in the final day.
The Kiambu Golfer who has won thirteen out of the eighteen of the Kenya Golf Union’s (KGU) Kenya Amateur Golf Champion (KAGC) series was crowned this year’s Golfer of the Year champion and qualifies to play in next year’s Kenya magical Open Championship.
“Today was a good round but though I struggled but Iam happy to be this year’s golfer of the year Champion. In fact I had a successful season this year winning most of the series and my dream is to be Kenya one. I also now challenge my colleagues to break this record I set this by winning more of the series. I would also like to thank my rival Nsubuga, he is a good golfer and has keep us on our toes so we must pull up our socks, “said Karanga.
Nsubuga from Uganda’s Mehta Club who also beat Karanga by one stroke to claim the recent Kiambu Open Title bagged a total of Ksh.120, 000 as overall price money while Karanga went home with Ksh.72, 000 for the second prize.
Kenya’s John Lejirma was third overall with a total of 220 gross (71-78-71) while Nyali’s Adel Balala settled for the fourth position of a total of 223 gross (72-74-77).
Among others in the top team are Isaack Makhoha-VetLab-225gross, John Timbe-Nyali-225gross, Naomi Wafula-Vipingo-225gross, Paul Muchangi-Limuru-225gross, Raphael Leming’ani-Ruiru-228, and Ebill Omollo-Vetlab-228gross.
Cash prizes was awarded to the top 20 players on lowest aggregate gross scores after round three from a kitty of Ksh519, 000 available for distribution.
Nyali’s William kaguta and William Odeck were the team winners on 295 nett.
Nyali Club Captain Dinesh Sasan thanked KGU for bringing the event to Nyali and players for attending in large numbers saying next year it will be bigger and lots fun to be expected.
The Event in its 53rd edition and that brought together 156 golfers from the Country, Uganda, Tanzania and UK was organized by Kenya Golf Union was supported by NCBA, You C1000 and Crown paints.
The top lady was Naomi Wafula with 225 gross, while Kiambu’s Joyce Wanjiru was the runners up on 238gross.
Royal’s Diana Mbubawas tied for the third on 241 gross with Golf Park’s Margaret Njoki and Nyali’s Mary Kandu fourth on 174 gross after playing only two rounds.
In the 2023 Club trophy ranking, Golf Park emerged the winner on 649 points after 23 events, Vetlab sports was second on 933 from 21 events and third was Kiambu Golf on 867 on 16 events.
The Event was graced by among others, KGU Officials led by its Chairman Philip Ochola, and KGU Coast Representative Eric Nyongesa who praised the Club for maintaining the Course to its excellent standard and announced the Union’s next event will be the Uhuru Shield to be held next Saturday.
ENDS;
NOTE;
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