Karanga continues dominance in the KAGC series with a win at the Limuru Open

Kiambu’s Michael Karanga follows his drive shot. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

Kiambu’s Michael Karanga  carded a round total of  213 gross  for an overall score  of 3  under  to  emerge the overall winner of the 2023 Limuru Open Champion that ended in the tough playing par 72 Limuru Country Club course in Kiambu County on Sunday.

His win came after playing  a great final round of 68 gross  in  addition  to his  74  and  71 gross  in the first and second rounds.

Karanga beat a field of 49 players who made the cut to the final round out of the 96 players that got entry to the tournament.

This is his fifth win in the 2023 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series out of the 8 tournaments he has participated in.

The win assured Karanga an amount of Kshs 108,000 courtesy of NCBA Bank and Limuru Country Club.

Karanga appreciated the support he received from Kiambu and Ndumberi Golf Clubs and the efforts put in by Limuru Country Club and the Kenya Golf Union in organizing the tournaments.

“I was recently sponsored by the Union to participate in the R&A Amateur Championship and the experience I received is beneficial for the sport here in Kenya. I look forward to such tournaments in the future and defending my title next year” he said.

Godfrey  Nsubuga  from Mehta  Golf Club in Uganda  was second on a round total of 214gross  after producing a  75,72, and 67 gross with a glorious eagle on the 18th hole in the final round and went  home  with Kshs 55,500 prize money.

Kiambu’s Michael Karanga displays his Limuru Open trophy. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort’s Adel Balala was third on a round total of 217gross (71-74-72) and also received a Ksh.37, 000.

The Amateurs are  now gearing  up  for the 103rd Coast Open “Barry Cup” Championship  that is set to be held from this Friday  to Sunday  at the  par 71  Sea-Link Mombasa Golf Club Course in Mombasa County.

Meanwhile, George Munene and Jesse Mugo paired to emerge champions of the International Pairs golf tournament held at Nyahururu Country Club.

The home club pairs returned a team score of 45 stable ford points to beat the pair of Chege Macharia and Dennis Kigundu on countback to claim the title.

The pairs of John Koskei /Moses Koskei, Irene Wamithi/Luula Margaret and Jane Wanjeri /Susan Hiuko all played 43 points to close the top five winning pairs.

This secured them slots to the Grand Finale to be held on 1st September this year at a venue yet to be named where the top 3 pairs in the Grand Finale will win a fully paid golfing trip to Portugal for the world finals set for the 6th to 10th November at the Royal Obidos Spa & Golf Resort and Bom Sucesso Resort in Portugal

This will be after five more qualifier events at Great Rift Valley Golf Resort (29th July), Nyali Golf & Country Club (5th August), Windsor Golf & Country Club (12th August), Nakuru Golf Club (19th August) and VetLab Sports Club (26th August).

KGU Chairman Philip Ochola (middle) presents  a prize to the Nyahururu winning pairs Jesse Mugo (left) and  George Munene (right).[Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

Kenya Golf Union Chairman Philip Ochola at Limuru appreciated NCBA Bank for sponsoring the KAGC series and ensuring the players earn a living that has motivated the Amateurs to play better and participate in more tournaments.

He further mentioned the essence of the KAGC events which contribute to the world rankings of the players.

“As part of the KAGC Calendar, the Limuru Open not only counts for the Kenya Amateur Ranking Points but also the Club Trophy Points and the World Amateur Golf Ranking Points. We currently have 18 Kenyans ranked in WAGR led by Michael Karanga on position 151 with 688 points.  Adel, Elvis, Lejirma and Maara are also among the top 1000 ranked players in the world. We desire to see our players rise higher. This strengthens the profile of our players and the power of the tournaments.”

Speaking at Nyahururu  Ochola urged all golfers to embrace the tournament noting that the essence of the International Pairs is to create a fun and competitive challenge to the general, weekend golfer and grant them an opportunity to compete at a national and global level.

“As KGU, we have partnered with International Pairs and have organized 8 qualifiers across the country. This is the second event of this year’s series and we have 6 more to go,”said Ochola.

The next pairs event is set for Kericho Golf Club on Saturday.