GOLF: Njoroge conquers Mt Kenya Championships

Top amateur golfer Samuel Njoroge tees-off on the par-three 18th hole during the Mt Kenya Championship played at Nyeri Club, February 4, 2019. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

A level round total of (68,72) 140 was enough for handicap plus two Samuel Njoroge to claim the Mount Kenya Championships presented by Postal Corporation of Kenya at Nyeri Golf Club on Sunday.

Playing off plus one, Njoroge, who turns-up for Kenya Railways Golf Club in their league matches, sunk eight birdies, parred two holes and bogeyed eight holes to prevail on the final day of the two-day event at the par 72 course.

He closed his first-round on day one at 4-under before returning a score of 6-under on the final day ahead of Great Rift Valley lodge’s +1 Simon Njogu, who finished second at 2-under (65,75) 142.

Kiambu Golf Club’s Michael Karanga, with 2-over (71,75) 146, was third.

Njoroge played level on the opening nine and repeated the same form on the closing nine despite dropping shots as he blamed lack of concentration for his drop.

After the win, Njoroge said the course was playing well and the greens were holding too.

He dropped shots on the par-four first, par-three second, par-three ninth.

The same misfortune befell him at the turn where he dropped shots on the par-four 10th and par-three 18th holes.

“I had everything going for me. My tee-shots were A1, my approach shots were equally great,” Njoroge said.

“My issues today were compounded by lack of concentration which is something I need to work on before taking part in the Qatar Open from February 14-17."

“My main aim of participating in the Qatar Open is to get the much needed exposure ahead of the Kenya Open from March 14-17.”

Njogu, just like Njoroge, blamed his poor show on lack of concentration.

“It’s been a great experience here in Nyeri. I have been hitting the range to sharpen my irons shots. It's, however, sad that my iron shots collapsed after the 15th hole where I was 6-under.”

Kenya Golf Union (KGU) chairman Lucas Maranga, who graced the awards ceremony, lauded the club's management for hosting a successful event but challenged them to do more in uplifting and promoting golf within the Mount Kenya region. 

Notable absentees out of the 105 players, who teed off at the start of the Championships, were Vet Lab's Edwin Mudanyi, who qualified for Kenya Open after emerging third in the Kenya Amateur Golf Championships and his club-mate Mike Khisia.

Others were 2018 Kenya amateur match-play champion Daniel Nduva, John Karichu (Kenya One), Zubair Khan and Mutahi Kibugu.

Nduva got a wild card to the 2019 Kenya Open for winning the match-play championships while Mutahi did not take part to protect his handicap which is at zero, which assures him of a slot in the Kenya Open mid next month. 

Muthaiga Open is next on the cards on February 16.