Kenyan Karanga finds it difficult as Ugandan Nsubuga takes home the Nyali Open crown

Nyali Open winner Uganda’s Godfrey Nsubuga during the finals of the  Nyali open Championship at Nyali  golf and Country Club course in Mombasa County on Sunday.[Maarufu Mohamed, standard]

Kenya’s Michael Karanga missed the 2023 Nyali Open Title by a single to Ugandan Amateur Godfrey Nsubuga during the finals that ended at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club Course in Mombasa County on Sunday afternoon.

Karanga who was the day one and day leader on Friday and Saturday with a six overs and a one under par was able to play a level par in the final day for a total of 217 gross.

He missed the overall title by just a single stroke from Nsubuga who collected 218 gross from a one under par on the first day, a three overs on the second day and the same score on the final day.

The Kiambu Golfer who has won thirteen out of the eighteen of the Kenya Golf Union’s (KGU) Kenya Amateur Golf Champion (KAGC) series was crowned this year’s Golfer of the Year champion and qualifies to play in next year’s Kenya magical Open Championship.

“Today was a good round but I struggled but Iam happy to be this year’s golfer of the year Champion. In fact I had a successful season this year winning most of the series and my dream is to be Kenya one. I also  now challenge  my  colleagues  to break this  record. I set this by winning  more of the series. I would also like to thank my rival Nsubuga, he is a good golfer and has kept us on our toes so we must pull up our socks, “said Karanga.

Nsubuga from Uganda’s Mehta Club who also beat Karanga by one stroke to claim the recent Kiambu Open Title bagged a total of Ksh.120,000 as overall prize money while Karanga went home with Ksh.72,000 for the second prize.

Kenya’s John Lejirma was third overall with a total of 220 gross (71-78-71) while Nyali’s Adel Balala settled for the fourth position with a total of 223 gross (72-74-77).

Among others in the top team are Isaack Makhoha-VetLab-225gross, John Timbe-Nyali-225gross, Naomi Wafula-Vipingo-225gross, Paul Muchangi-Limuru-225gross, Raphael Leming’ani-Ruiru-228, and Ebill Omollo-Vetlab-228gross.

Cash prizes were awarded to the top 20 players on lowest aggregate gross scores after round three from a kitty of Ksh519, 000 available for distribution.

Nyali’s William Kaguta and William Odeck were the team winners on 295 nett.

Nyali Club Captain Dinesh Sasan thanked KGU for bringing the event to Nyali and players for attending in large numbers saying next year it will be bigger  and lots fun  to be expected.

The Event in its 53^rd edition that brought together 156 golfers from the Country, Uganda, Tanzania  and UK was organized by Kenya Golf Union and was supported by NCBA, You C1000 and Crown paints.

The top lady was Naomi Wafula with 225 gross, while Kiambu’s Joyce Wanjiru was the runners up on 238gross.

Royal’s Diana Mbubawas tied for third on 241 gross with Golf Park’s Margaret Njoki and Nyali’s Mary Kandu fourth on 174 gross after playing only two rounds.

In the 2023 Club trophy ranking, Golf Park emerged the winner on 649 points after 23 events, Vetlab sports was second on 933 from 21 events and third was Kiambu Golf on 867 on 16 events.

The Event was graced  by KGU Officials led by its Chairman Philip Ochola, and KGU Coast Representative Eric Nyongesa who praised the Club for maintaining the Course  to its excellent standard and announced  the Union’s next  event will be the Uhuru Shield  to be held  next Saturday.

Nyongesa also urged the Club members  to support  other golfers  in need especially the Caddies playing Amateurs  so that they can  also participate  in all other  KGu Series  across the Country.