Mombasa-based Balala steps closer to Kenya Amateur Strokeplay title

Mombasa-based golfer Ade Balala is on the verge of lifting the overall title of the Kenya Amateur Strokeplay Championships that enters the final round at Nakuru Golf Club today.

After going through 54 holes over three days, Balala collected a total of 213 gross having played four under gross in the first round and one under gross in the second and third rounds for a total of six under gross.

With another 18 holes left on the card this morning, Balala is close to winning the overall title and automatically earn a ticket to play in the Kenya Open Golf Championships next year.

Kiambu's Michael Karanga kept Balala on toes with a total gross of 216 having achieved 74 gross on the first day, 68 on day two and 74 gross yesterday ahead of John Lejirma of Railways who posted 217 gross in three days.

Coming fourth was Limuru's Paul Muchangi who posted a total gross of 220 having scored 76, 72 and 72 in the first, second and third days respectively.

Uganda's Joseph Cwinyaa-I and Arjun Gupta from Dubai were the only foreign amateurs who rated among the top ten players as the tournament enters the final stretch this morning.

Cwinyaa-I was fifth with a total of 220 gross having scored a par in the first 18 holes, one under par on the second 18 holes and two over par after 54 holes while Gupta had a total of 223 gross.

The tournament attracted a total of 96 players from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Dubai and United States of America.

Nakuru Golf Club captain Luther Kamau who plays off the scratch was placed 13th with a total gross of 226 of 78, 75 and 73.

The long hitting Kamau scored +4 in the first 18 holes, then +2 in the second 18 holes and + 1 in the third 18 holes.