Youthful Coast Golfer Adel Balala recorded his maiden victory in the Kenya Amateur series after emerging the overall winner of the 2023 Ruiru Open Golf tournament that ended at the par 73 Ruiru Sports Club Course in Kiambu County on Sunday afternoon.
The Vipingo Golf Resort Club's Balala playing off handicap 1 returned a total of 218 gross in the three days 54 holes tournament to claim the overall lead and walk away with Sh92, 500 as the top winning prize money.
This is Balala's maiden victory in the 2023 ongoing season where 26 Kenya Golf Union Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series are being played across the Country.
He started off with a level par 73 gross on Friday, played a one under par 72 gross on Saturday and finalized with additional level par 73 gross on the final day to grab the lead.
"I am extremely happy for this maiden victory and fully prepared for the next event in two weeks' time. It's not going to be a walk in the park but through the ongoing support of my Father Taufiq Balala, my Club and Coach, I am sure I will be doing wonders in all the coming events of the season," said Balala.
National Golf Team Captain Dennis Maara from Limuru Country Club playing off handicap 2 was second on a total of 221 gross (75-72-74) and went home with Ksh.55,500.
The third slot was tight with four Amateurs sharing,after all brought a total of 224 gross each and each rewarded Ksh.26, 367.
They are Muthaiga's Taimur Malik playing off handicap 5,handicap 5 Ebill Omollo from Vetlab sports Club, Kenya Railways John Lejirma playing off handicap 5 and handicap 5 Raphael Leming'ani from Golf Park Golf Club.
The tournament that also qualifies the Amateurs to the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Ranking and Club of The Year Trophy (COTY) was jointly sponsored by NCBA Bank, Ruby Granite & Interiors Ltd and Jwines.com.
It attracted 102 top leading golfers and outside the Country who were all battling for the Ksh. 400,000 purse prize money but missing in action was Kenya One Mike Karanga of Kiambu golf club who has travelled to the UK to take part in the British Amateur Open Championship that kicked off from Sunday to 24th June.
The Club trophy was won by Golf Park Golf Club on a total of 674 points from its players comprising
Francis Ng'aru, Karanja Waweru, Darren Chesumei, Hill Kip and Raphael Leming'ani.
Vetlab Sports Club being represented by Edgar Brian, Isaac Makokha, George Mburu, Robert Odero and Ebill Omollo was second on a total 678 points.
The team of Steve Kiaro, Elvis Muigua, Mike Ngene, Peter Waiharo and Peter Waiharo registered a total of 680 points to their Kiambu Golf Club to the third position.
The Club Captain Jesse Ndegwa thanked the Golfers , the Union and sponsors for making the day successful and choosing to host the event at Ruiru and the day presented a good challenge for the elite amateur and was a good platform to place the club among the prestigious golf destinations.
"We the entire Ruiru Sports Club fraternity are excited to be included for the first time in the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series and we fully set and prepared to host more tournaments in future," said Ndegwa.
KGU Chairman Philip Ochola congratulated Balala for his first win this year and all the Golfers for attending the tournament and requested them to prepare well for the next coming series that will be the Goldfields trophy to take place 30th June to 2nd July at kakamega sports club.
RUIRU OPEN TOP TEN AND TIES;
Adel Balala (Vipingo Golf Resort)-73-72-73-218gross-Ksh.92500.00,Dennis Maara (Limuru Country Club)-75-72-74-221gross-Ksh.55500.00,Taimur Malik (Muthaiga Golf Club)-224gross-Ksh.26367.50,Ebill Omollo (Vetlab Sport Club)-75-70-79-224gross-Ksh.26367.50,John Lejirma (Kenya Railways Golf Club)-73-75-76-224gross-Ksh.26367.50,Raphael Leming'ani (Golf Park Golf Club)-72-73-79-224gross-Ksh.26367.50,Mike Ngene (Kiambu Golf Club)-75-75-226-Ksh.15700.00,Joseph Gathumbi (Kenya Railway Golf Club)-74-78-74-226gross-Ksh.15700.00,Josphat Rono (Golf Park Golf Club)-77-74-227gross-Khs.12933.33,Christopher Andrea (Ruiru Sports Club)-74-77-76-227gross-Ksh.12933.33.
CLUB TROPHY SCORES;
Golf Park Golf Club-Francis Ng'aru,Karanja Waweru,Darren Chesumei,Hill Kip, Raphael Leming'ani-674points,Vetlab Sports Club-Edgar Brian, Isaac Makokha,George Mburu,Robert Odero,Ebill Omollo-678points,Kiambu Golf Club-Steve Kiaro,Elvis Muigua,Mike Ngene,Peter Waiharo,Peter Waiharo-680points,Ruiru Sports Club-David Kibui,Paul Njeru,Ngumo Kingori,Simon Gichuru,Christopher Andrea-685points,Kenya Railway Golf Club-Adelbert Omooria,Morgan Chirchir,Mitansh Thacker, Joseph Gathumbi-688points,Nyali Golf and Country Club-Tahir Mohamed, William Odek,John Timbe-690points,
Muthaiga Golf Club-Godfrey Butich,John Koina,Taimur Malik-700points,Royal Nairobi Golf Club-Kevin Juma,Francis Muhwang'a,Abner Onsomu,Godfrey Opiyo-739points,RTD-Thika Sports Club-John Kariuki, David Mbugua,Isaac Ndichu,Stan Ngure,Brian Omondi-492points-RTD-Eldoret Golf Club-John Kigen, Franklin Kipyator,Aron Kitur,Moses Tanui-500points-RTD-Njoro Country Club-John Gaitho,Johanna Kitone,John Mburu,John Njenga,David Otuke-506points.
