Pranay Kapur wins 12th Kabete Open title

2025 Kabete Open winner Pranay Kapur at Vet Lab Sports Club, July 20, 2025. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

The 12th edition of the Kabete Open, renowned as one of the toughest championships in the Kenya amateur golf scene, concluded on Sunday at the Vet Lab Sports Club layout.

An intensified level of competition culminated in the thrilling victory for Pranay Kapur of Royal Johannesburg. Despite facing challenges in the opening round, Kapur's masterful performance resulted in a final round score of 217, earning him Shs115,600.

The tournament was presented by Car & General, Yego, Astrol and Eabl among others.  

Even the best players in the field had to contend with the unpredictable greens' significant undulations, losing vital strokes despite being on regulation. Worsened by the tight fairways, which demanded precision off the tee boxes, whose placement made it hard to advance the ball and punish even slight inaccuracies at Lab, a very long course, tilting 7765 yards off the back tee.

The Kabete Open received praise for its impeccable organisation and course conditions, showcasing a marked improvement in player performance and the overall quality of play.

"The level of competition has increased, and standards and handicap limits have become more stringent," commented Peter Mwaura, an official from the Kenya Golf Union KGU.

Only 33 players, including ties, made the cut set at 13-over during moving day. Despite all the challenges, Pranay, a sophomore from Catawba in the U.S., fired rounds of 78, 68, 71, (217) to claim victory.

"Golf is so up and down, you don't know what week you're going to have. It's always good to remain in the present and just make sure you stick to the process," Pranay Kapur, 2025 Kabete Open winner.

Defending champion Adel Balala finished second after executing a spirited comeback on the final day, including a spectacular eagle on the par-four 18th hole, to wind up with scores of 3-over-79, 69, 71 (219). Gilbert Chwale, also from the Royal Johannesburg Golf Club, South Africa, secured third place with 3-over-76, 75, 68 (219).

Elvis Muigua from St Andrews - Ndumberi Golf Club encountered two costly mistakes on the 16th and 17th greens, which led him to drift out of contention to finish with 5-over-73, 73, 75 (221) while Kenya-One, John Lejirma, also closed with 5-over-72, 74, 75 (221) due to a shoulder injury he sustained during the Mauritius Open a fortnight ago.

After the Kabete Open, the focus now shifts to Sigona Golf Club as the "Kenya Swing" series continues with two major upcoming competitions, the Kenya Amateur Strokeplay Championship, July 24th-27th 2025, before heading back to Vet Lab for the Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship, July 31st-August 3rd, 2025, that will serve as crucial qualifiers for the prestigious Magical Kenya Open 2026 with winners of the two event earning direct entry into MKO 2026.

In the subsidiary event, the Sylvester Shield youngster, Wahome Mutahi, amassed 40+36=76 stableford points to be declared the overall winner of the inaugural meet. He beat Peter Kiige on countback also with a score of 40+36=76 stableford points.

Handicap 13, Rachel Ndei, was declared the Day-1 Lady winner with a score of 30 stableford points, with Rohini Shah claiming the Junior prize with 35 stableford points.

Francis Kimathi won the Men's winner prize with 39 stableford points while Kembi Gitura won the Senior prize with 36 stableford points.

"Golf is so up and down, you don't know what week you're going to have. It's always good to remain in the present and just make sure you stick to the process," Pranay Kapur, 2025 Kabete Open winner.

2025 Kabete Open top-10 winners

1. Pranay Kapur 1-over-78, 68, 71, (217)
2. Adel Balala 3-over-79, 69, 71, (219)
3. Gilbert Chwale 3-over-76, 75, 68, (219)
4. Elvis Muigua 5-over-73, 73, 75, (221)
5. John Lejirma 5-over-72, 74, 75, (221)
6. Isaac Makokha 7-over-74, 74, 75, (223)
7. Dennis Maara 8-over-73, 73, 78, (224)
8. Ewan Widor 10-over-80, 73, 73, (226)
9. Lee Njoroge 10-over-79, 74, 73, (226)
10. Ebil Omollo 10-over-78, 73, 75, (226)