-It was a tough victory narrowly surviving through a match-play off after both tied at the end of the tournament;
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS;
National golf team Captain John Lejirma emerged the overall winner of the 2024 Diani Beach Masters golf tournament at the par 72 Diamonds Leisure golf resort club course in Diani, South Coast of Mombasa in Kwale County on Sunday.
The Kenya Railways golfer won after surviving on a play-off match against Nakuru golf club’s John Kamais when both tied on a round score of 220 gross each at the end of tournament.
In the match-play off, Lejirma’s luck came at the 18th hole par 5 where he sank a birdie to claim the overall victory and register his fifth title in the ongoing 2024 Kenya Amateur Golf Champion (KAGC) Series. While his challenger played a level par.
Lejirma started off day one on Friday with a level par 72 gross, played a two over par 74 gross in the second on Saturday and final day on Sunday to find himself record the same score against Kamais that forced the play-off match where he finally triumphed to claim the trophy and a winning top money prize of Ksh.130,000.
“It was a tough and tense moment but I composed myself and eventually managed to beat my rival in the play-off. I have been playing this event for many years and finally, today it’s been my day. The course was also playing well and it is in its pristine condition and hope to defend this title next year, “said Lejirma.
Kamais who had played a three over par 75 gross on the first day, an excellent two under par 70gross in the second day and a three over par 75gross again in the final round, settled for the second place while the current top amateur Michael Karanga from Kiambu was third on a round total of 221gross.
The three-day 54-hole stroke play championship drew top leading amateurs from across the Country where all the golfers played the first two rounds on Friday and Saturday after which the top 33 and ties made the cut to the final round on Sunday.
The event which is one of the ongoing Kenya golf Union (KGU) organized series being played around the Country since January is being supported by NCBA Bank.
It saw Kiambu’s Joyce Wanjiru and Royal Nairobi’s Ashley Awuor tied on 229 gross each with Muthaiga’s Bianca Ngechu on 231 gross that placed them among the top ladies and in the top ten team leaders.
The top golfers shared a total prize money of Ksh.600,000 with the winner taking home a sum of Ksh.130,000 and the golfers also earned points to the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC).
Club Captain Stan Kinsch hailed this year’s event as nothing short of amazing and thanked KGU for bringing the event back to the club and players and fans for the success of tournament.
Kenya Golf Union (KGU) Chairman David Ndung’u said they are excited for the success of the tournament and pointed out that the event not only showcased the incredible talents within the golfing community but also promotes the beautiful region of Diani as a premier destination for sports tourism.
The Diani event follows the Nandi Bears Open Shield held at the Nandi Bears golf club at the beginning of the month where home player Elly Barno clinched his first Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) title.
The amateurs set eyes for the forthcoming 2024 Tea Fields trophy to played at the Kericho golf club from 25th to 27 October.
The grand finale of the series will be in December for the Nyali Open Championship set for Nyali golf and Country club course in Mombasa County where the golfer of the year is expected to be crowned.
DIANI BEACH MASTERS 2024-TOP TEN AND TIES;
John Lejirma-Kenya Railway Golf Club-72-74-74-220gross, John Kamais-Nakuru Golf Club-75-70-75-220gross,
Michael Karanga-Kiambu Golf Club-71-73-77-221gross, William Odek-Nyali Golf & Country Club-77-72-75-224gross,Isaac Makokha-Kenya Railway Golf Club-75-73-78-226gross, Elvis Muigua-Kiambu Golf Club-76-76-75-227gross, Joyce Wanjiru- Kiambu Golf Club-76-82-71-229gross, Ashley Awuor-Royal Nairobi Golf Club-76-75-78-229gross, Steve Orinda-Vet Lab Sports Club-81-72-78-231gross, Bianca Ngechu-Muthaiga Golf Club-73-75-83-231gross.
ENDS.
NOTE;
WANT YOUR GOLF/SPORTS/BUSINESS/ENVIRONMENT/HEALTH/OPINIONS/SPONSORED CONTENTS OR BUSINESS PROMO FEATURED IN THIS SITE?
KINDLY CONTACT US;
mmaarufu@gmail.com/golfnewslinks@gmail.com
Phone/What’s up…+254726614604/+254722415598.
