KAGC Golf: Series Players To Earn National Team Call Up
From left, Kenya Golf Union Vice Chairman and Tournaments Director, Philip Ochola, Group Director Marketing, Communications and Citizenship, Nelly Wainaina, Kenya Ladies Golf Union Chairman, Lydia Otieno, Kenya golf Union Chairman Dr. Njani Nderitu and Group Managing Director and CEO at NCBA Group, John Gachora. This was during the launch of NCBA Amateur Golf at Railways Golf Club. PHOTO/ NCBA
NAIROBI, Kenya- The seventh leg of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) series heads to Railways Club in Nairobi this morning (Friday) with top three golfers looking forward to stretching their lead in the 26 legged circuit.
Top hitters in the contest include Michael Karanga of Kiambu Golf Club who is leading the series on 410 points following his victories in the first three legs in Sigona, Windsor and Muthaiga.
Hot on his heels is Railway’s John Lejirma on 263 points.
Lejirma has pledged to wrestle Karanga’s marauding ways in the seventh leg at his home turf where he has mastered the pin positions like the palm of his hand.
Lejirma will be out to apply techniques he learnt from his recent outing in South Africa.
Also to watch is the teen sensation Elvis Muigua of Kiambu who is fresh from winning the sixth leg in Kitale.
Muigua is currently third on the log on 143 points.
Other players to watch at Railways include Kenya Golf team captain Dennis Maara of Limuru who won the fourth leg in Thika and Sammy Mulama of Golf Park who triumphed in the fifth leg held at his base in Ngong Race Course.
On Thursday, NCBA Bank came on board to sponsor the series to a tune of Sh5 Million.
The partnership with the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) will see Sh470 000 (Sh200 000 from NCBA and Sh270,000 from KGU) up for grabs in each leg of the series in terms of purse money.
Furthermore, the partnership will see players from the series earn call ups for national duty in this year’s Victoria Cup and the Africa Zone IV Challenge and next year’s Magical Kenya Open.
The KGU said this kind gesture from the financial institution is meant to support the growth and development of golf in Kenya.
The deal also aims to create a platform for amateur golfers to showcase their talent and provide a pathway to the professional ranks.
“This sponsorship is a step in the right direction, cash is king, the prize money will push us to work hard on our craft, it will help in improving the level of performance in the championship,” Maara told Standard Sports.
Muigua said he is already motivated with the money and now he is pledging to take his game to the next level.
” My target is to book a ticket to the 2024 Magical Kenya Open,” the 19-year-old hard hitter stated.
The NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora while handing over the cheque said, “We recognize the importance of sports development in our society, and we are committed to supporting initiatives that promote growth and development in this area.
“We are excited to partner with the KGU in this endeavor and our sponsorship of the 2023 KAGC events is part of our commitment to supporting the growth of the sport and the players who participate in it.
“The NCBA Golf Series now includes the amateur competition with a finale in December, Mug and Club Nites, junior’s competition with the Junior Golf Foundation, and now partnering on the Elite-Amateur category with the KGU.
From left, Kenya Golf Union Vice Chairman and Tournaments Director, Philip Ochola, Group Managing Director and CEO at NCBA Group, John Gachora, presenting a cheque worth KSH 5 million to Kenya Ladies Golf Union Chairman, Lydia Otieno and Kenya Golf Union, Chairman Dr. Njani Nderitu in sponsorship of the Amateur Golf Tournament at Railways Golf Club. PHOTO/ NCBA
“This now brings us to a Total Annual golf activity of more than 60 events across the East Africa Region and an investment of close to Sh60 million with a diverse list of participants, both male and female.
“This new partnership creates a long-term connection between us and the KGU, and will develop the game of golf by improving the skill sets, providing more tournaments for the players to practice as they compete with fellow elite amateurs.
“It will provide an avenue for the elite amateur golfers to play at a professional level with the inclusion of cash prizes, creating a platform to engage with the golfers for their financial success.
“It will also prepare the elite golfers who will represent Kenya in the annual Magical Kenya Open tournament to be held in March 2024.”
UTILITIES
The 2023/24 KAGC winners so far:
1. Sigona- Michael Karanga
2. Windsor- Michael Karanga
3. Muthaiga-Michael Karanga
4. Thika Sports Club- Dennis Maara
5. Golf Park- Sammy Mulama
6. Kitale- Elvis Muigua
