Andersen triumphs at Kenya Amateur Open

By James Waindi

Former international, Stefan Andersen posted a four round gross score of 11-under par 273 to win the Kenya Amateur Open at the par-71 Muthaiga Golf Club on Sunday.

The plus 2 handicap golfer, who is a student at the University of Pretoria, started his campaign with an opening round of three-under 68 made up of six birdies and three bogeys.

In the second round, he posted a two-under par 69 and in the third round Andersen dug deep, in the third, fourth and ninth for a three under par 33 outward nine.

On the inward nine, he made birdies on the 10th, 12th and 13th holes to return a sizzling six-under par score of 65 to take a four-shot lead into the final round.

A level par 71 was enough in the final round to secure a three-shot lead over Vet Lab’s resident professional Ali Kimani.

Automatic slot

Stefan Andersen during the Kenya Amateur Golf Open tournament at Muthaiga Golf Club at the weekend. [PHOTO: STAFFORD ONDEGO/STANDARD]

With this victory, Andersen secures an automatic slot in next year’s Tusker Kenya Open and 16 Kenya Data Networks. Andersen has participated in only three KDN Goty events this year and has won two.

Vet Lab’s resident golf professional, Ali Kimani returned scores of 69, 72, 66 and 69 for a championship total of eight-under par 276 to claim the second slot overall and the top professional golfers slot and an undisclosed amount in cash.

Touring professional Riz Charania was third on four-under par 280. Charania led the

championship after the first round with a five under 66 and followed this with a three-under 68 in the second round. However, two 73s to close off the championship saw him lose grip on the event.

Professionals Jacob Okello, Fred Kamau and Dismas Indiza were fourth, fifth and sixth respectively while Muthaiga’s amateur golfer Collins Omondi was seventh on 288. Limuru’s Francis Kimani was the third placed amateur on 289 and Vet’s Boniface Simwa was the fourth-placed amateur on 290.

The leader of the Kenya Data Networks Golfer of the Year rankings, Thika’s Sullivan Muthugia, struggled to find his swing throughout the event, posting a disastrous

15-over par 309 and finishing outside the KDN Goty points bracket. Limuru’s Francis

Kimani now leads the KDN Goty rankings and is bound to defend the KDN Goty crown that he won last year.

Meanwhile, Sabraoui Youssef produced an impressive score of 76 gross points to emerge the overall winner of the last leg of the Kenya Airways Golf Safari series held at the Ivoire Golf Club in Abidjan at the weekend.

The left handed golfer playing off handicap 10 fired a terrific score of 38 points in both nines for a total 76 gross points beating a field of over 130 golfers to secure himself a ticket to the grand finals on November 6 at the Muthaiga Golf Club.

Golf Park: Kipchillat Kimaru of Presidential Press Service (PPS) wrapped up his second victory with the best ever score during the sixth Zain Media Golf Challenge at the Golf Park on Saturday.

Kipchillat, who won the fourth leg of the scribes’ event, shot 50 gross to triumph by one shot from newcomer, K24’s Tony Kwalanda, who mesmerised many by his powerful drives.

Kipchillat sunk four bogeys on second, third, seventh and eighth and double bogeys on par-fours first and fourth.

Win next event

Kwalanda bogeyed first, fourth, sixth and seventh for his debut total of 51. "I am delighted and I hope to win the next event with more practice," said Kwalanda.

Limuru: Bata Golf Classic, Overall winner- J M Kariuki 43pts; Men winner-L Maeitamei 41pts; Men R/Up-S C Mbugua 41pts; Best lady- K Kihanya 37pts; Guest winner- M Fuchs 41; Nearest to Pin men- L Gibson; Nearest to pin women- M Fuchs; Best effort- D Waiganjo 21pts.

Sigona: Lady Captains prize 2009, Winner man- M S Matharu 31 diff; Winner lady- Archana Patel 40 diff; Winner Junior- Niraj Mulji 48 diff; Winner Guest man- Dr Sura 37pts; Winner Guest lady- Madhvi Kapila 35pts; Winner board of Director- Peter Kiguru 43diff; R/up man- Kush Mediratta 33diff; R/up lady- Ikumi Kobayashi 44diff; Third man- Dan Mugo 37Pts; Third lady- Kala Shah 47diff.

 

 

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