-Karanga dominated the Course from the absence of his closest rival Adel Balala of Nyali and narrowly survived from Kenya Railways Lejirma and Uganda’s Michael Alunga;
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS;
Kiambu’s Michael Karanga survived a strong team to retain the 47th NCBA Coast Open-Barry Cup title in the tournament that ended at the par 71 Sea-Link Mombasa Course in Mombasa County on Sunday evening.
Although his closest rival Adel Balala of Nyali was absent, Kenya Railway’s John Lejirma and Uganda’s Michael Alunga gave karanga a hard time on the course but managed to overcome all the challenges.
Balala who was expected to give Karanga a hard time in Mombasa had last weekend at Vetlab Sports Club stunned the defending Champion in a sudden dramatic playoff to win the NCBA Kabete open 2024 Golf tournament, but failed to show up in Mombasa for another expected course showdown.
Karanga came to Mombasa to give it another try and rounded up the three days 54 holes tourney with a total of 212 gross to retain the title he won last year and also walked home with the top prize money of Ksh.92,500.
He took command from the first day on Friday returning an excellent six under par 65 gross, a two over par 73 gross on Saturday and slipped on a three over par 74 gross in the final day on Sunday but still took the commanding lead.
“So, the course was in a good shape. I think you had set it for me to break my own record on the first day. But unfortunately, this is Golf, and it is not good to break your own course record. Believe me, I wanted to enjoy that record for like 10 years or something. I want to also congratulate the four people we played with on the day, who is one of the longest playing Coast Open members. And all other guys we played with, I enjoyed playing with them, “said Karanga.
Kenya Railway’s John Lejirma, the leader of the KAGC Series and Captain of the Kenya Golf National Team secured second place on a total of 215 gross (71-76-68) and was awarded Ksh.55,500.
“On the first day, I played exceptionally well. However, on the second day, I encountered some difficulties and didn’t perform as expected. On the final day, I reminded myself that I could still succeed. I gave my best effort on the first nine holes, scoring five under par. Despite some setbacks on the back nine, I finished three under par. Although the victory slipped away, I’m pleased with second place, “said Lejirma.
Uganda’s Michael Alunga finished third on a total of 217gross (67-76-74) and received Ksh.37,000.
The tourney that featured Lady golfers, saw Vipingo Ridge’s Naomi Wafula take lead on a total of 225 gross (74-74-77) and Uganda’s Martha Babirye on 238 gross (82-78-78) finished second while Nyali’s Mary Kandu had 174 gross (90-84) from playing two rounds and disappearing on the final day.
The tourney organized by the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) in their ongoing 2024 Schedule, featured a cream of top Amateur Golfers from the East African region who also earned points to the Golfer of the year (GOTY) series and the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
Played under theme ‘Golf for All’ where Elite Lady Golfers were also been invited and open to Golfers with a handicap Limit Index of 13.7 featuring 84 top leading Amateurs, tt was supported by NCBA as the main title sponsor with others being Chai Logistic Center and Inter City Secure Homes limited.
Club Chairman Paul Munyao appreciated the talents and skills displayed at the Course by the Amateurs and thanked KGU for their support to the Club.
Coast open-Barry Cup is the oldest Golf trophy competed for in the Coast having first been donated to the Mombasa Golf Club in 1913 by the donor Percy Barry was not only a founder member of the Club but was the first Honorary Treasurer and Captain a whopping four times.
For this exemplary service he was elected an Honorary Life Member was a Golfer of no mean repute who won the first Barry Cup competition when it was played during the Christmas season of the same year.
Originally it was intended that if any competitor won the trophy three times in a row, then trophy would become that winner’s property.
However, when A.J. Boland achieved the feat after swimming in 1932, 1933, and 1934, the Club Committee recommended that the trophy be held in perpetuity as a Challenge Scratch Trophy to commemorate Mr. Barry outstanding service to the club has been played under the Kenya Golf Union since 1928.
After the open, the Amateurs now set their Eyes and focus in the Kenya Amateur Strokes Play Championship taking place from Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th August at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club Course in Mombasa County.
TOP TEN LEADERS, TIES AND PRIZE MONEY SHARES;
1-Karanga Michael-Kiambu Golf Club-65-73-74-212gross-Ksh.92,500.
2-Lejirma John-Kenya Railway Golf Club-71-76-68-215gross-Ksh.55,500.
3-Alunga Michael-Uganda Golf Club-67-76-74-217gross-Ksh.37,000.
4-Kamaisi John-Nakuru Golf Club-75-72-72-219gross-Ksh.27,700.
5-Muigua Elvis-Kiambu Golf Club-74-76-70-220gross-Ksh. -22,200.
T6-Rono Josphat-Golf Park Golf Club-79-70-72-221gross-Ksh.17,550.
T6-Odek William-Nyali Golf & Country Club-73-72-76-221gross-Ksh.17,550.
T8-Koina John-Muthaiga Golf Club-75-75-73-223gross-Ksh.13,867.
T8-Kamau Henry-Mombasa Golf Club-74-75-74-223gross-Ksh.13,867.
T8-Timbe John-Nyali Golf & Country Club-73-74-76-223gross-Ksh.13,867.
11-Mulama Sammy-Golf Park Golf Club-73-74-77-224gross-ksh.12,000.
T12-Majanga Solomon-Nyali Golf & Country Club-78-72-75-225gross-Ksh.10,650.
T12-Wafula Naomi-Vipingo Ridge Golf Club-74-74-77-225gross-Ksh.10,650.
ENDS;
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