-Her close Challenger Naomi Wafula from Vipingo Baobab sat a single shot behind as Other Elite Ladies continue to struggle for top slots at the three days’ regional tournament.
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS.
Muthaiga Golf Club’s Kellie Gachaga has sent an early warning after stamping her authority to claim da one lead on Friday in this year’s ongoing three days annual Kenya Ladies Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship being played at the 18 holes Sigona Golf Club course, a Country-style Golf club located 20 minutes from Nairobi in Kiambu County, Kenya.
The youngster carded her best level par 72 gross going to the second rounds on Saturday while her close challenger, Naomi Wafula of Vipingo Baobab Ridge finished second on a one over par 73 gross, a single shot behind.
Muthaiga’s Bianca Ngechu and Windsor’s Kanana Muthomi each returned 75 gross to tie for the third place.
The 12-year-old Muthomi gave the ladies a run for their money in last year’s edition after leading for the first two days and may again be expected to surprise this time.
The three days’ tournament from Friday to Sunday is a 54-hole strokes play format proudly supported and organized by Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) and is also a World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) tournament featuring over 100 Elite players from the Region battling namely Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The Championship is an annual golf tournament for female amateur golfers in the Region with the Mary Neville Trophy awarded to the best gross score.
The tournament also includes the Dolan Bowl for the overall Championship and the Sigona Quaich for Division B players.
The Mary Neville Trophy will be for those below handicap 9, those with handicap 9 to 17 will be going for the Dolan Bowl and the Mary Samburu Trophy for those on the category Division B off Handicap 29 to 33.
All eyes will see whether a new Champion this year will be born as no champion has ever defended and kept their title for the last four years where the winners were Serah Khanyereri (2021), Channelle Wangari (2022), Medina Iddy (2023) Joyce Wanjiru (2024).
It was a tough day one for Kiambu’s Wanjiru who tied for fifth slot on 75 gross each with the tournament’s 2023 champion Madina Hussein from Arusha Gymkhana, Tanzania with each returning 75 gross.
She is battling it out with among others Belinda Wanjiru, Margaret Njoki, Simaloi Mbeya, Mercy Nyanchama Bianca Ngucu, Agnes Nyakio, Brianna Ngecu, Nancy Wairimu and Cherotich Murgor.
Other Tanzanians strong team comprise Elias Victoria of Lugalo Hills Golf Club, Shufaa Hassan from Lugalo Hills Golf Club, Yasmin Chali of Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club, Aalaa Somji from Arusha Gymkhana Club, Racheal Mushi from Kilimanjaro Golf Development and Arusha’s Neema Olomi.
Matutina Irumva and Peace Kabasweka are representing Rwanda’s Kigali golf Resort and Uganda golf Clubs respectively.
Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) Rosemary Mkok said the tournament started off well as planned and hopes that the ladies will enjoy lots of fun expected in and out of the course.
“On behalf of KLGU, I’m thrilled to see a good entry this time. Enjoy the game we all love. Let’s make this a memorable weekend filled with friendly competition, good times and of course some great Golf,” said Mkok.
The KLGU Amateur Stroke Play Championship is one of East Africa’s most competitive tournaments for women Golfers providing a platform for emerging talents to shine and measure themselves against some of the region’s best.
DAY ONE TOP TEN LEADERS AND TIES-FRIDAY.
Kellie Gachaga-Muthaiga-72 gross, Naomi Wafula-Vipingo Baobab-73 gross, Bianca Ngechu-Muthaiga-75 gross, Kanana Muthomi-Windsor-75 gross, Neema Olomi-Arusha-76 gross, Joyce Wanjiru-Kiambu-77 gross, Madina Hussein-Arusha-77 gross, Peace Kabasweka-Uganda Golf Club-78 gross,
Mercy Nyanchama-Njoro-78 gross, Cherono Kipkorir-Royal Nairobi-80 gross, Aalaa Somji-Arusha-80 gross.
ENDS.
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