Nyali Golf Club’s Adel Balala wins Strokeplay tournament
Edwin Otieno
Nyali Golf Club’s Adel Balala continued with his fine form as he beat a strong field to win this year’s the Kenya Amateur Strokeplay Championships at the Nakuru Golf Club over the weekend.
Playing off handicap -4, Balala who recently also won the Kabete Open tournament at Vet Lab Club, posted an overall score of seven under par 285 (69, 72, 72, 72) after 72 holes, to rule the roost.
Michael Karanga of Ndumberi Golf Club playing off handicap -4 was second in the competition after playing four under par 288 (74, 68, 74, 72), while John Lejirma of Kenya Railways Golf Club playing off handicap -3, was third on two under par 290 (70, 74, 73, 73) and handicap 2 Elly Barno also of Nandi Bears Golf Club finished fourth in the competition on a gross score of 295 (76, 74, 73, 72).
The win in Nakuru has seen Balala open a seven points lead at the top of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championships ranking table after the Strokeplay competition, while Karanga and Lejirma follow in the second and third positions on the table respectively.
The tournament in Nakuru attracted a total of 66 players, where Kenya had 57 participants, Uganda (five), UAE (three) and Rwanda (one).
“The Kenya Amateur Strokeplay Championship was first held in Kenya in 1978 and was first won by J. Gitau from Sigona Golf Club.
“The event has over the years been played in October around the 20th to celebrate the late President of the Republic of Kenya Mzee Jomo Kenyatta,” said Kenya Golf Union chairman Peter Kiguru.
He added: “We appreciate the players who have over the years been part of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship Series.
We could not achieve all this without you. The winner of this event, Adel Balala, has an automatic slot to participate in the upcoming Magical Kenya Open.”
