-This is one of the KGU event series that brought together top Amateurs from across the golf Clubs in the Country;
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS;
Kiambu Golf Club’s Michael Karanga was crowned the NCBA 2024 Malindi Open Champion after emerging the overall winner at the par 70 Malindi Golf and Country Club in Kilifi County on Sunday.
In this Kenya Golf Union (KGU) organized event supported by NCBA, the Golfer who is the event’s defending Champion retained the Vasco Da Gama Cup after carding a combined score of 221 gross from the three rounds 54 holes strokes play Championship that brought together top leading Amateurs from across the Golf Clubs in the Country.
Karanga who also bagged Ksh.120,000 top prize money started off on Friday in a slow note with two birdies, ten level pars and mixed bogey shots to close the day on a four over par 74 gross for a second place behind the day one leader John Lejirma of Kenya Railways.
He came back on the second day fully energized, sinking five birdies, leveling eight pars and mixed bogey shots on the rest of the 18 holes to claim the day’s lead on a four par 74 gross.
Though his final third day on Sunday saw him record a sour seven over par 77 gross after producing four birdies with five level pars over mixed bogey shots on the other remaining 18 holes, Karanga was able to clinch the overall title.
“I have been in good form in the past few months and greatly delighted to have retained my Championship again in this excellent but challenging dry course and the unfriendly coastal heat. I will continue sharpening my skills to keep up my winning trend as I look to defend my Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) golfer of the year title at the grand finale of the series later this year,” said Karanga.
The Golfers played in the first two rounds on Friday and Saturday after which the top 33 and ties made the cut to the final round on Sunday.
Additionally, this event counts towards the World Amateur Ranking Golf (WARG), adding further significance to this exciting tournament.
Kenya Railways Golf Club Amateur golfer John Lejirma who is the 2022 KAGC Golfer of the year and day one leader was second on a round total of 225gross bagging a Ksh.72,000.
He led the first day on a level par 70 gross after sinking a lone birdie at hole five par four with additional 16 level pars against mixed bogey shots.
Lejirma went down to the second slot on the second day on Saturday with a five over par 75 gross from one birdie on hole eight par four with additional 12 level pars against mixed bogey shots on the rest of the holes.
He maintained the same slot on the final day, sinking two birdies with eight level pars against mixed bogey shots on the rest of the 18 holes for a disastrous total of ten over par 80 gross.
“I started off well, tried my best on the second day but found my efforts failing on the third day as things were not working as planned. But still grateful for the second place, will continue to sharpen my skills where I think is not working well and look forward to fighting another day, “said Lejirma.
Vet Lab Sports Club’s Ebill Omollo was third on a total of 226 gross from 78,74,74 gross in the three rounds and was awarded Ksh.48,000.
There were only two Ladies with Mary Kandu from Nyali Golf and Country Club who failed to make the cut on the second round on Saturday.
She left Naomi Wafula of Vipingo Ridge Club to struggle through the Men in the final rounds on Sunday but played successfully to the fourth position on a total of 230gross (80-74-76) and was awarded Ksh.36,000.
Malindi Golf Club Chairman Benjamin Wasige thanked the Golfers for making the tournament successful and promised that the same event will be more entertaining, greater and more enjoyable with lots of fun next year.
This event is one of the ongoing series in the Country that started at Sigona Golf Club with the Sigona Bowl in January and the grand finale will be the Nyali Open Championship in Mombasa County scheduled for December where the Golfer of the Year 2024 will be named and crowned.
Kenya Golf Union Chairman (KGU) Chairman David Ndungu extended their heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors who have come on board to support this event, particularly the main sponsor, NCBA Bank, for their continued commitment to this year’s series with others being I-sal, Jambo Jet, and Kilifi County Government for their invaluable support.
NCBA Group Managing Director, John Gachora, said they are thrilled to have reached this point in the Kenya Amateur Golf Series and take immense pride in being part of these events that brings together the best Amateur Golfers from across the region for friendly yet highly competitive tournaments.
“So far, the events have been exceptional, with outstanding performances all around. We look forward in the rest of the other series to an exciting tournament,” said Gachora.
The Amateurs now take their battle for supremacy to the Nandi Bears Golf Club for the Nandi Bears Open Shield tournament to be played from 4th to 6th October.
MALINDI OPEN 2024 TOP TEN LEADERS AND TIES;
1-Michael Karanga-Kiambu Golf Club-74-70-77-221gross-Ksh.120,000.
2-John Lejirma-Kenya Railway Golf Club-70-75-80-225gross-Ksh.72,000.
3-Ebill Omollo-Vet Lab Sports Club-78-74-74-226gross-Ksh.48,000.
4-Naomi Wafula-Vipingo Ridge Golf Club-80-74-76-230gross-Ksh.36,000.
5-Simon Karari-Thika Greens Golf Resort-80-72-79-231gross-Ksh.28,800.
6-Steve Orinda-Vet Lab Sports Club-77-81-74-232gross-Ksh.24,000.
T7-Elvis Muigua-Kiambu Golf Club-83-78-72-233gross-Ksh.18,900.
T7-Isaac Makhoha-Kenya Railway Golf Club-80-76-77-233gross-Ksh.18,900.
T7-Mike Ngene-Kiambu Golf Club-79-78-76-233gross-Ksh.18,900.
T7-Josphat Rono-Golf Park Golf Club-75-80-78-233gross-ksh.18,900.
ENDS;
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