Balala and Karanga to renew their rivalry at Coast Open Tourney

Nyali’s Adel Balala. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

A cream of top Amateur Golfers from the East African region converges at the Mombasa Sea-Link Course in Mombasa County for a three days’ action in this year’s Coast Open ‘Barry Cup’ Golf tournament being staged from Friday to Sunday.

The 54 holes ‘Barry Cup’ in is 104th edition will see Youthful Adel Balala of Nyali Golf and Country Club and Kiambu’s Michael Karanga renew their rivalry among other top Amateurs who have also pulling up their sleeves to seek for honors.

Nyali Golfer Adel Balala stunned defending Michael Karanga of Kiambu in a sudden dramatic playoff to win the NCBA Series Kabete open 2024 Golf tournament at Vetlab Golf Club course last Sunday.

The event that is open to Golfers with a handicap Limit Index of 13.7 featuring 84 Amateurs and tees off from 7.45 AM with the flight of Steve Orinda, Kalamu Choyo and Feisal Lasker while the last flight at 1.15 PM will be that of Boniface Mungai, Omar Lewa and Peter Kiige.

Kiambu’s Michael Karanga who is the defending Champion is placed to play in the pressure group of his rival Adel Balalla, J. Chege, John Lejirma, Lawrance Odhiambo and A.Muita at 12.12 PM.

This is one of the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) organized tournament in their ongoing 2024 Schedule, supported by NCBA as the main title sponsor and being played under theme ‘Golf for All’ where Elite Lady Golfers have also been invited.

Among the Ladies in the tournament includes Lady defending Champion Joyce Wanjiru from Kiambu, Nyali’s Mary Kandu, Vipingo’s Naomi Wafula and Uganda’s Martha Babirye.

Among the Men golfers to watch are Mombasa’s Lawrence Odhiambo, Sammy Mulala, Henry Kamau, Maj.Joel Mochanga, Justine Ongeri, Willy Sang and Nyali’s Omar Lewa.

Club Vice Captain George Mokaya said on Thursday that the Club prides itself and thrilled in hosting the event while assuring Golfers that the Course is in excellent state and playing on the spot.

“We invite all golf lovers to come witness the top cream of Amateurs displaying their best skills and talents in the three days fully packed action at the Links course along the historic Mama Ngina drive, “said Mokaya.

He pointed out that apart from the Golfers eying points to the Golfer of the year (GOTY) series and the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), they will also be battling for a share of Ksh.400,000 prize kitty money.

“In fact the ‘Barry Cup’ continues its strong run as the premier sporting event for Amateurs in the region where it draws massive support from the growing golf fraternity.

“Apart from the finesse exhibited in the field by the select handicappers during the championship, it has also emerged as a gem of socialization and the festive camaraderie that pervades the Ocean facing Club and is usually the premium outing for the regional and up-Country tourists, “noted Mokaya.

This event that ends on Sunday after a cut over 36 holes on Saturday, 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 was 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 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