Karanga can’t stop winning

68th edition of Postal Corporation of Kenya - Mt Kenya Championship winner Michael Karanga at Nyeri Golf Club in Nyeri, February 7, 2021. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Michael Karanga clinched the 68th edition of Postal Corporation of Kenya - Mt Kenya Championship title in a hill-to hill duel against John Lejirma of Kenya Railway Golf Club by a single stroke at Nyeri Golf Club over the weekend.

The Kiambu Golf Club player powered through the course on the final day of the Kenya Golf Union sanctioned Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series event to claim a double after winning Sigona Bowl a fortnight ago.

It was sweet revenge for Karanga against Lejirma, who was the top amateur at Uganda Open early last month.

Even after posting 2-over par-144, Karanga has little time to rest as they prepare for the Muthaiga Open 2021 next weekend.

Other top contenders for the KAGC points including Peter Rimui of Nanyuki Sports Club, G Kariuki, Ebill Omolo of Vet Lab Sports Club, Great Rift Valley Golf Resort’s Simon Njogu and Simon Karari won’t let Karanga rest easy at the top.

The pack is keen on hunting for more points that will count towards earning themselves slots in the 2022 Magical Kenya Open.

Karanga started his second round with an overnight leader advantage at 2-under par-70, a stroke ahead of Lejirma at 1-under par- 71 hoping to widen the gap but Lejirma wouldn’t take it lying down.

He picked birdies on the first, second, fourth and fifth holes with Rimui matching their pace as he sank back-to-back birdies on the first, second and third holes. Birdied the fifth before parring the sixth and seventh holes.

A head-to-head competition between the trio saw them tied after the 16th hole.

“I’m delighted because beating Lejirma is the sweetest revenge ever. He had trounced me in two tournaments; Nairobi District Foursomes last year and this year.” said Karanga.

“Every time I faced off with him, I lost, but this time, I had the last laugh. It feels great. My focus now shifts to securing a slot to play in the Magical Kenya Open 2022 as an amateur but God willing I would like to play in the 2023 edition as a professional golfer” he added.

Postal Corporation of Kenya were the title sponsors of the two-day meet that saw top amateur golfers converge at the scenic par-72 course.

Postmaster General Dan Kagwe said; “As one of the oldest corporations in the country, we are proud to be associated with such a historical event through this sponsorship.”

Mt Kenya Championship and Sigona Bowl were the only KAGC events played before Covid-19 pandemic struck at the beginning of last year.

KGU chairman Ben Omudo who graced the award dinner said, “Thing are getting back on track. This being the second event and based on the turnout, we still have 20 more events to be played as we seek to up our game ahead of 2022 Magical Kenya Open as witnessed, we still can’t be proud of the winning scores!”

“Level of competition has to be better and the scores lower. Going forward we have a program where we have an elaborate plan to take golf to schools as we seek to grow the game of golf from the grassroots. Negotiation are in high gear with Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) for the inclusion of the sport of golf in the schools curriculum.” said Omuodo