Karanga man to beat at Churchill Cup in Thika

The battle for points in the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series formerly Golfer of The year, is on Friday at Thika Sports Club course which is the venue of the annual Winston Churchill Cup golf tournament.

Coming exactly a week after the Muthaga Open, this weekend’s tournament also being played over 54-holes and being sponsored by Famous Grouse, has attracted a field of 78 players including two leading Ugandan players Godfrey Nsubuga and 2022 Uganda Open Amateur Champion Andrew Ssekibejja.

During the Muthaiga Open, Kiambu’s Michael Karanga currently in an amazing form triumphed with an impressive aggregate of seven under par 203, to beat Kenya Railway Golf Club’s John Lejirmah by one shot.

Despite his final round two over par 73 finish at Muthaiga which he blamed on poor putting, Karanga is definitely the man the rest will have to beat at Thika this weekend.

“I was looking forward for a low aggregate finish though I made several three putts. In general, I did not manage my game well in the final round, but I will work on it before the next event at Thika,’’ said Karanga.

The par 72 Thika Sports Club course which has been in great condition, is a fairly easier course to tackle than the Muthaiga one, with many birdie-scoring chances for long hitters like Karanga, if one can manage to keep the ball in play.

“The course has never been better than it is now, and particularly having acquired new equipment. The rains have also helped us a lot,’’ said club Captain Ndegwa Thuku who is looking forward to the weekend’s tournament.

To take on Karanga besides the two Ugandans, and the 2022 Golfer of The year John Lejirmah, others drawn include Limuru’s Dennis Maara, Golf Park’s Sammy Mulama, Vet Lab’s Ebill Omollo and home players Dennis Gakuo and David Matano.

Teeing off for Friday’s first round is set for 6.30am on both first and 10th tee, followed by the second round in the afternoon. The third and final round will take place on Saturday.

Unlike last weekend’s tournament at Muthaiga, only two ladies Joyce Wanjiru and home player Betty Ndenderu are drawn to battle it out.

At stake this time will be Sh250,000 in addition to the prestigious Winston Churchill Cup which has been contested annually since 1948.

Also on offer will be some points towards the World Amateur Ranking as well as national team selection for the Africa Region Four Championship to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in June.

At Ruiru Sports Club a record field of 290 golfers was drawn for the Chairman’s Prize, culminating a week-long series of activities. 

Coming two weeks after the Captain’s Prize, the event is a treat for the Chairman Dominic Chege who has just been re-elected unopposed for a second term. 

The event is sponsored by KCB Bank among other organisations including Cascade Institute of Hospitality and TV47. 

On Thursday, at least 30 local top amateurs and professionals took part in a pro-am tournament that had a cash prize kitty of Sh100,000. 

“It has been an exciting journey that can only be complete with a tournament that brings together juniors, pros and amateurs,” said Chege, the Club Chairman.

Weekend golf fixtures 

Vet Lab

Saturday; April Monthly Mug; First Tee; 6:30 S Woo, C. Kim, J. Seo, S. Kim; 6:50 P. Gow, S.Parmar, C. Munyori, F. Nurani; 7:00 S. Dossaji, N. Hirani, C. Hayer, M. Bector; 7:10 N. Nagda, I. Njoki, P. Mandiliya, M. Chavda; 7:30 K. Njoroge, S. Kinuthia, M. Muiruri, J. Mureu; 7:40 B. Mandere, R. Kimani, M. N. Kinuthia, J. Kosgei; 7:50 M.Makundi, V. Oyango, N. Simwa, Vimal Sharma; 8:00 E. Maritim, C. Maitho, F. Frimpong; 8:10 J. Mwangi, J. Karingú, G. Kabuuri, E. Munene; 8:20 B. Akun, R. Bore, T. Opar, S. Dean; 8:30 K. Owino, H. Kamuti, P. Karingú, F. Musila; 8:40 B. Simbi, G. Owino, J. Kimani, L. Mungai; 11:20 Rohit Shah, M. Kombo, K. Gretton; 11:30 K. Ondieki, J. Osoro, K. Okumu, W. Nadida; 11:40 J. Wokabi, G. Waiganjo, E. Ngéthe, G. Wanjohi; 11:50 G. Sehmi, G. Mangat, A. Dhadialla, A. Mussaji; 12:00 T. Thanawalla, D. Mukabi, Ano; 12:10 X. N. Iraki, M. Gatundu, Ano;’12:20 O. Plakalovic, E. Njuki, M. Chege, A. Samoei; 12:30 B. Mungai, Ano, Ano; 12:40 Captain ×4; 12:50 V. Landa ×4; 1:00 Khushil Shah, Ano, Ano; 1:10 F. Mwaniki, F. Wahome, M. Karobia, E. Kiruja; 1:20 A. Ladak, Ano, Ano; Tenth tee; 7:10 R. Mwarania, Ano, Ano; 7:40 W. Okello, N. Njiraini, P. Gichuru; 8:20 R. Lakhani, D. Thakkar, S. Thakkar, U. Raikundalia; 8:30 M. Matumo, D. Mwangi, J. Kimani, P. Kavia; 11:30 M. Mutiiria, L. Munyua, C. Kamari; 12:40 K. Sanghani, Savan Shah, Deep Shah; 12:50 Keval Shah, Bhavik Shah, Sajan Shah; 1:00 J. Ghaghda, B. Lakhani, S. Samani; 1:10K. Balsod, Kush Shah, Philix Oketch.

Ruiru

Saturday: Chairman’s Prize (Dominic Chege) : First Tee; 6:30 Fr. Mwaura, S K Nyingi, J Kaunda, R Mukami ; 6:40 C Muchoki, S Mwitari, F Goco, B Macharia; 6:50 F Korir, T Kiiru, W Kimondo, P Nuthu ; 7:00 V Gaitho, Sponsor x3 ; 7:10 F Kimanzi, A Wangari, I Githinji, C Kiiyukia ; 7:20 F Kinyanjui, E Njau, D Kibui, A Muthigani ; 7:30  E Kabaki, S Kingori, L Mwangi, J Njeru ; 7:40 Sponsor x 4 ; 7:50 A Kariuki, G Gacheru, D Ngugi, D Gateru ; 8:00 Sponsor x 4 ; 8:10 Sponsor x 4; 8:20 J Njogu, K Waituika, E Ndegwa, M Kibera ; 8:30 L Wachira, P Kamau, M Mukururi, S Mukururi ;  8;40 K Muraguri  X 4 ; 10:40 Captain x 4; 10:50 Captain x 4 ; 11:00 G Waweru, G Keru, P Muiruri, P Mukuria ; 11:10 I Nguku, K Munyua, K Mwangi, H Mwaura ; 11:20 Sponsor x 4 ; 11:30 J Nyambura, B Waweru, W Kamau, M Wangeci ; 11:40 Sponsor x 4 ; 11:50 J Kilonzo , L Nganga, J Kihungu, Sponsor ; 12:00 P Kigwe, C Wambui, Sponsor x 2 ; 12:10 Sponsor x 4 ; 12:20 Sponsor x 4 ; 12:30 J Mathenge, Z Muigai, L Ian, T Mwaura ; 12:40 W Kagicha, Sponsor x 4 ;  12:50 B Ngugi, S Njuguna, A Mwangi ; 13:00 M Wahome, J Waruingi, S Wanja, D Mukei ; 13:10 A Machocho, A K Ndungu, K Wangondu, D Waruinge ; 13:20 P Karingithi, R Njui, K Muchiri, G Miano ; 13:30 R Mwaura, L Kwendo, R Kagio, N Wangendo ; 13:40 B Mumo, B Ndungu, M Nzomo,J Mugo; Tenth Tee : 6:30 C Muchoki, S Mbochi, G Wachira, S Kingara; 6:40 P Ngugi, P Kamau, Rev Karanja, P M Mwangi ; 6 :50 R Karanja, A Ngaruiya, E Waithaka, M Kimotho ; 7:00 G Ndungu, C Njoroge, N Gitonga, A Mwaura ; 7:10 B Okumu, D Mbugua, C Kariuki, J P Muraguri ;  7:20 Sponsor X 4 ; 7:30 Brig Mohamed, E Karanja, R Kithuka, C Wakaro ; 7:40 W Gathecha, C Karanja, D Geita, M Murigi ; 7:50 P Kiarie, J Wanjohi, E Kiragu, F Kinge ; 8:00 P Kimanga, G Njuguna, R Kamau, J Mwangi ; 8:10 K Berenju, A Ngugi, B Mwangi, P Theche ; 8:20 J Mureithi, L Mwaura, J Muendo, E Kariuki ; 8:30 M Muthoni, K Kaburu, J Makau, Sponsor  ; 8:40 L Maina, J Gitau, R Kitavi, J Njenga ; 10:40 Captain x 4 ; 10:50 Sponsor x 4 ;  11:00 G Njuguna, G Keru, A Kariuki ; 11:10 M Mbuthia, T Kiragu, A Mburi, S Kanyora ;11:20  K Muthondu, E Ngugi, N Nguithi, A Kariuki ; 11:30 J Ngugi, N Mwaura, I Wamoro, Sponsor  ; 11:40 D Mwangi, D Warui, W Maina, R Njuguna ; 11:50 Sponsor x 4 ; 12:00 C Ndegwa, Sponsor x 4;  12:10 J Kimanzi, S Muiruri, P Kiogora, P Njeru ; 12:20 S Mwaura, J Chege, C Gitonga, S Mwaura ; 12:30 D Muiruri, J Wangari, Dr Gachuno, A Kimani ; 12:40 W Kagicha, Sponsor x 4 ; 12:50 P Kaigua, Fr. P Kimani, Fr. P Kiarie, Fr Wanyoike :13:00 W Njenga, J Kamiri, A Ngumba, E Mbugua;  13:10 B Kimani, D Kamau, A Kioi, F Mwaura  ; 13:20 S Thuku, S Karanja, S Wainaina, Dr Murumba ; 13:30 W Kihato, W Ngechu, E Thal, P N Waibochi ; 13:40 J Theuri, R Gathii, T Kamunya, P Oketch. No Post Entries.

Railway

Saturday: Jimnah Mbaru Golf Day; 7.40 Sponsor x4 7:50 S Muraguri, C Kibet, Ano, Ano; 8.00 Sponsors x4; 8:10 S Mbugua, J Mutuota, D Njonjo, A Kimondo; 8:20 B Kanyi, M Okech, S Maiywa, E G Wachira; 8:30 L  Kinyori, F Kamau, J W Kung'u, P Kabiaru; 8:40 S Nganga, J Kiveu, T K Mbogua, J Ocholla; 11:00 J Makau, C Otachi, Ano, Ano; 11:10 R Njuguna, Ano, Ano, Ano; 11:20 N Njuguna, G Gakima, R N Maina; 11:30 B Odhiambo, S Muraya, A Kihara, Ano; 11:40 M Wambugu, L K Njagi, J Gacoka. Ano; 11:50 M Gacheri, J Ndirangu, Ano, Ano, Ano; 12:00 P Karani, F Makala, A Kiragu, O Gachuno; 12.10 Sponsor x4; 12:20 S Njoroge, G Kirathe, K Kanyaura, K Kariuki; 12:30 N Mwaura, Ano, Ano, Ano; 12:40 J Mbaru, Ano, Ano, Ano; 12:50 O Ndegwa, Ano, Ano, Ano; 1:00 T Ruhiu, Ano, Ano, Ano; 1:10 J Kehara, M Mbugua, Ano, Ano; 1:20 M Nderi, P Wainaina, P Wahome, F N Kung'u; 1:30 Kamenyi J, P Oketch, S Patel, D Kingi; 1:40 A Boru, N Nderitu, J M Kivuva, Daniel Kyama;
 
Thika

Friday; Winston Churchill Cup sponsored by Famous Grause; First Nine; 6:30 D. Gakuo, P Kibuku, Ndung'u, E. Karagu; 6:40 V Chesumei, G.Nduati, J. Gitonga; 6:50 D. Matano, B. Omondi, S. Mulama; 7:00 A. Muhoro, K. Nyangaga, S. Ngugi; 7:10 P. Nduati, E Ngene, F. Munyua; 7:20 G Nsubuga, N Ong'alo, J Muhingo; 7:30 D.Ndung'u, D Ombisi, T. Chirchir; 7:40 Dr. T Saidimu, N.Thuku, B K Macharia; 7:50 E N Nyamu, J Lejirma, B Waciuri; 8:00 D M Chege, N. Kimemia, A Ssekibejja; 8:10 M Gatonye, Eng. K Chege, C. Wambasi; 8:20 Eng J M Wakimani, M Karanga, M Karoki; 8:30 J. Wanjiru(L), B Ndenderu, F. Njenga; Tenth Tee; 6:30 J. Kariuki, K. Mwaura, G Butich; 6:40 J. Koina, E. Maina, D Maara; 6:50 G Opiyo, R. Gichuki, F Kipyator; 7:00 J. Rono, P King'ori, B. Omondi; 7:10 C.Adagala, C Owuor, S.Harish; 7:20 D Chesumei, S Karari, E. Muigua; 7:30 S Kiaro, E. Brian, R Muthugia; 7:40 G. Mburu, S N Njenga, R Odero; 7:50 P.
Waiharo, S Orinda, E Omollo; 8:00 S. Ndung'u, S. King'ori, S Etaan; 8:10 A Odongo, F.Njoroge, L. Njoroge; 8:20 S Karuma, M Nyangi, P Wanjohi; 8:30 C Mwenda, L. Asego, K Juma, S. Arundel;