Kabete Open title: Balala lines up for more goodies

Local amateur golfer Adel Balala lines a putt during Day One of the Kenya Savannah Classic at the Karen Country Club in Nairobi on March 23, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Youthful Adel Balala was crowned the 2021 Kabete Open champion after emerging the overall winner at the par 72 Vet Lab Sports Club course on Sunday, in the on-going Kenya Amateur Golf Amateur Championship Golf Series.

The 22-year-old Handicap 1 Nyali golfer carded 214 gross to claim the title in the three-day tournament that was sponsored by Tsavo Real Estate Investment Co. Ltd and ABSA Bank.

Balala started off with a level par 72 gross on the first day, played the same score on the second day, before adding an excellent two under par gross on the final day to claim lead in the event that attracted top amateurs golfers in the country.

Balala was four strokes ahead of Ndumberi Club’s Michael Karanga, who claimed the runner-up slot with a total of 218gross.

Karanga, playing off handicap 1 and who the was the day two leader on 141 gross, had carded a one under 71 gross on Friday, a two over 74 gross on Saturday and a one over par 73 gross on the final day.

Muthaiga’s handicap 3 Bo Ciera carded a total of 223 gross (75-75-73) for a third-place finish. Other winners were, Overall nett winner-Godwin Karuga (12)-212nett, runner-up-Simon Karari (6)-213nett and third-Carl Wambasi (7)-215nett.

Round one gross winner was John Lejirma (1)-71 gross, Round two gross winner-Dennis Maara (0)-69 gross, round three gross winner-Mutahi Kibigu (+1)-73 gross.

The tournament, which started at Sigona Golf Club in January, is among the 22 series of the on-going 2021 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) event that is organised by the Kenya Golf Union (KGU).

The next event moves to Kitale Golf Club this weekend, with the final leg being held at Nyali Golf and Country Club, in Mombasa.

Meanwhile, Stephen Warui carded 43 points to emerge the overall winner of the 2021 Kirinyaga County (ABAI) golf tournament at the Par 72 Thika Greens Golf Resort course, on Saturday.

The day-long 18-hole stableford tournament, which attracted 180 golfers, was sponsored by Kirinyaga County Golfers, Sun Citi Resort, CPA Maringa Gitari, Tabaki, Ribena, Lucozae, AAR Insurane, Spring Board Capital Limited, Kenyan Original, Witts Consultants and Rotary Club of Kirinyaga.