Wanjiru counts it all joy as she lifts Ladies Amateur Strokeplay gong

The 2024 Ladies Amateur Strokes play champion Joyce Wanjiru displays her trophy. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

Celebrations rocked Kiambu county after hearing that one of their own Joyce Wanjiru was crowned the 2024 Ladies Amateur stroke play Champion at VetLab Sports Club on Sunday evening.

Wanjiru rounded up the three-day tournament at the par 72 course with seven overs for a combined total of seven over par 223 gross to emerge the overall winner.

She started off on Friday on a sour note, playing a five over par 77 gross before she improved to three over par 75 gross on the second day.

Wanjiru nailed it on the final day after sinking three birdies with additional 13 level pars against a single bogey shot for one under par 71 gross to carry the lead.

“I am over the moon this evening for winning this championship. I began badly, but this did not put me down as it gave me more strength to push on. I will treasure this moment and also extend my sincere thanks to organisers of the tournament," said Wanjiru.

Vipingo Ridge Club’s Naomi Wafula was the runner-up with 12 over par total of 228 gross after carding a three days round of 77,74, and 77 gross.

Junior golfer Kanana Muthomi from Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club, who terrorised the amateur golfers from day one, finished third overall on a round total of 13 over par 229 gross.

This tournament, played under the Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) umbrella in its ongoing calendar of events, is also a World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).

It attracted 62 lady golfers from different clubs around the country and others from Uganda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

Elsehwere, home golfer Elly Barno registered his maiden title on home soil during the 3rd edition of the NCBA Nandi Bears Open Shield Championship that ended at the Nandi Bears Golf Club on Sunday.

Barno carded 69,75 and 73 gross for a combined total of 217 gross to carry home the overall lead in the tournament that brought together leading Amateurs from across the golf clubs in the Country.

He took home the top winning prize money of Ksh. 92,500 out of the Ksh.400,00 that was shared among the top winners.

Isack Makhoha of Kenya Railways golf club was the runners up on a combined total of 219 gross after registering 75,72, and 72 in the three rounds and Nakuru club’s john Kamais sat third with a total of 221 gross from rounds of 76,70 and 75 gross.

Home club’s lady golfer Faith Chemutai was the top lady with a total of 245 gross playing 82,83 and 80 gross in the three rounds.

The tournament missed the presence of Kenya’s top four players in the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) rankings namely Michael Karanga, John Lejirma, Elvis Muigua, and Adel Balala.

These players were representing Kenya in the Africa Region IV Championship in Kigali, Rwanda that took place simultaneously on the same days.

This tournament is one of the ongoing 28 events in the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) 2024 Calendar organized by the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) counts to Golfer of the Year award and also offers a platform for golfers to earn points to the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).

And in Rwanda, Team Kenya stamped their authority to clinch the Region IV trophy for the third consecutive years after emerging victorious at the Kigali Golf Resort and Villas to retain it permanently.

The team of Michael Karanga, John lejirma, Adel Balala and Elvis Muigua dedicated their hard work, determination, and team spirit that paid off to round up the event to a total of 841 gross.

Kenya was competing against Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, Seychelles, Reunion and the host nation, Rwanda.

Uganda comprising Joseph Cwinyaai, Joseph Akena’s and Joseph Kasozi brought a total score of 875 gross to claim the second spot while host Rwanda made of Felix Dusabe, Jacques Byingiro, and Jacques Gatera were third with a total of 899 gross.

Mauritius and Seychelles both recorded 906 gross to tie for fourth place while Ethiopia was placed fifth on a combined score of 994 gross.

Africa Golf Confederation (AGC) and immediate Kenya Golf Union (KGU) Chairman Philip Ocholla thanked the players, the Technical Director and the Government for their support that produced the outstanding performance saying this now sets the stage for the team’s participation in forthcoming the All-Africa Championship.

Next year’s tournament of the same event will be held in Mauritius.