Kiambu Golf Club's Karanga bags Sh1 million from KAGC series

Michael Karanga in action at Nyali Golf and Country Club. [Maarufu Mohamed]

Kiambu Golf Club’s Michael Karanga will be celebrating Christmas in style after bagging a total of Sh1,562,117 from this year’s Kenya Amateur Golf Championship series.

This was announced by Kenya Golf Union on Sunday evening at the conclusion of 26 series with the Nyali Open Championship at Nyali Golf and Country Club where Karanga lost to Uganda’s Godfrey Nsubuga by a single stroke.

The series that started with Sigona Bowl on January 20-22 at Sigona Golf Club, saw the zero handicap Karanga play 18 legs out of the series and led with the highest amount of the money.

“I am so grateful to my sponsors and my club for supporting me through the series that gave me a lot of encouragement to play with highest determination. It has also been a good year and I encourage my colleagues to continue fighting hard for the next season,” Karanga said.

Kenya Railways John Lejirma also on handicap zero was second to pocket a total of Sh987,309 from 23 events he played while Uganda’s Godfrey Nsubuga also playing off handicap zero was third earning a total of Sh805,717 after playing 17 legs.

Other top ten earners were Ebill Omollo of Vetlab (Sh605,643) from 24 events, handicap zero Josphat Rono of Golf Park received Sh441,783 from 23 events and Kiambu’s handicap zero Elvis Muigua got Sh427,705 from 21 events.

The money was shared to over 162 amateurs with the last one being handicap 2 Ronald Malde of Sigona Golf Club earning Sh810 after playing only two events of the series.

Coast KGU representative Eric Nyongesa noted that the amateur series was getting competitive and urged the players to take the series seriously saying that it’s now a sport that can make them earn a decent living.

In the KAGC player ranking again Kiambu’s Karanga emerged the top player with a total of 1,213 points from 18 events he played in the series and was crowned the 2023 Golfer of the Year.

Kenya Railways’ John Lejirma was second with a total of 632 points from 23 events and taking the third slot on a total 704points was Godfrey Nsubuga from Uganda.

Others among the top ten leaders were Elvis Muigua (Kiambu) 348 points, Ebill Omollo (Vetlab)-348 points, Dennis Maara (Limuru)-318points, Adel Balala (Vipingo)-278 points, Sammy Mulama (Mombasa Golf Club)-271 points, Josphat Rono (Golf Park)-265 points and Taimur Malik (Muthaiga)-212 points.

In the Ladies category, Vipingo’s handicap Zero Naomi Wafula emerged top earning a total of Ksh.199, 225 from playing six events and Kiambu’s handicap zero Joyce Wanjiru who second and benefited from ksh.8, 825 after playing only eight events of the series.

KGU Chairman Philip Ochola thanked the Sponsors of the series NCBA and the Amateurs for the successful season and announced that next year, the Union will include a calendar of series for Senior Golfers.

Meanwhile handicap 18 Sanjeev Khagram carded 39 points to emerge the overall winner of this year’s Jamhuri golf tournament played at the Nyali Golf and Country Club course in Mombasa County on Tuesday.

Engineer Willis Ingari playing off handicap 33 was the runners up on a count back score of 38 points after tying on the same points with third placed handicap 11 Talat Buta.

Feisal Lasker from Mombasa Golf Club playing off handicap 10 was the guest winner on 34 points and Nilesh Patel with 21 points and Vishnu Dhutia on 22 points were the first and second nine winners respectively.       

TOP TEN KAGC CLUB TROPHY RANKING

1-Golf Park Golf Club-23events-949points,2-Vetlab Sports Club-21-933points,3-Kiambu Golf Club-16events-867points,4-Nyali Golf & Country Club-18events-440points,5-Muthaiga Golf Club-13events-292points,6-Kenya Railway Golf Club-13events-292points,7-Nandi Bears Club-14events-253points,8-Ruiru Sports Club-16events-170points,9-Limuru Country Club-12events-135points,10-Royal Nairobi Golf Club-12events-122points.