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Kiambu’s Michael Karanga makes a swing to the second greens during the Coast open finals on Sunday in Mombasa. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard].
Kiambu’s Michael Karanga was crowned the 2024 Coast Open Champion after emerging the overall winner of the tournament that ended at the par 71 Sea-Link Mombasa Course in Mombasa County at the weekend.
He took advantage of the course following the absence of his closest rival Adel Balala of Nyali by rounding up the three days 54 holes tourney with a total of 212 gross to retain the title he won last year and also walked home with the top prize money of Ksh.92,500.
Balala who was expected to give Karanga a hard time in Mombasa had last weekend at Vetlab Sports Club stunned the defending Champion Karanga of Kiambu in a sudden dramatic playoff to win the NCBA Kabete open 2024 Golf tournament, but failed to show up in Mombasa for another expected course battle.
At the Sea-Link Course, Karanga took command from the first day on Friday returning an excellent six under par 65 gross, a two over par 73 gross on Saturday and a three over par 74 gross on the final day on Sunday to carry the lead.
“So, the course was in good shape. I think you had set it for me to break my own record on the first day. But unfortunately, this is Golf, and it is not good to break your own course record. Believe me, I wanted to enjoy that record for like 10 years or something. I want to also congratulate the four people we played with on the day, who are one of the longest playing Coast Open members. And all the other guys we played with, I enjoyed playing with them, “said Karanga.
Kenya Railways John Lejirma was the runners up on a total of 215 gross (71-76-68) and was awarded Ksh.55,500 while Uganda’s Michael Alunga finished third on a total of 217gross (67-76-74) and received Ksh.37,000.
The tourney that featured Lady golfers, saw Vipingo Ridge’s Naomi Wafula take lead on a total of 225 gross (74-74-77) and Uganda’s Martha Babirye on 238 gross (82-78-78) finished second while Nyali’s Mary Kandu had 174 gross (90-84) from playing two rounds and disappearing on the final day.
The tourney featured a cream of top Amateur Golfers from the East African region who also earned points to the Golfer of the year (GOTY) series and the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
The event supported by NCBA as the main title sponsor with others being Chai Logistic Center and Inter City Secure Homes limited was played under theme ‘Golf for All’ where Elite Lady Golfers were also invited.
Kiambu’s Michael Karanda displays his Barry Cup trophy in Mombasa. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]
It was open to Golfers with a handicap Limit Index of 13.7 featuring 84 top leading Amateurs and is one of the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) organized tournaments in their ongoing 2024 Schedule.
Club Chairman Paul Munyao appreciated the talents and skills displayed at the Course by the Amateurs and thanked KGU for their support to the Club.
Coast open-Barry Cup is the oldest Golf trophy competed for in the Coast having first been donated to the Mombasa Golf Club in 1913 by the donor Percy Barry was not only a founder member of the Club but was the first Honorary Treasurer and Captain a whopping four times.
For this exemplary service he was elected an Honorary Life Member as a Golfer of no mean repute who won the first Barry Cup competition when it was played during the Christmas season of the same year.
Originally it was intended that if any competitor won the trophy three times in a row, then the trophy would become that winner's property.
However, when A.J. Boland achieved the feat after swimming in 1932, 1933, and 1934, the Club Committee recommended that the trophy be held in perpetuity as a Challenge Scratch Trophy to commemorate Mr. Barry outstanding service to the club has been played under the Kenya Golf Union since 1928.
After the open, the Amateurs now set their Eyes and focus in the Kenya Amateur Strokes Play Championship taking place from Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th August at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club Course in Mombasa County.
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting,
digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading
multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
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