Top amateurs return this weekend in search of Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) points at the Windsor Classic at the par 72 Windsor golf club.
With two international events, the Magical Kenya Open at the Muthaiga golf club and the Africa Amateur Golf Championships in South Africa, the amateurs will be seeking points ahead of team Kenya slots as well as 2024 Kenya One title.
After leading Kenyans at the completed inaugural Africa Amateur Golf Championships at the par 72 Leopard Creek Golf Club in South Africa last weekend, Adel Balala has set his focus to win the title after gaining much experience at the South African tournament.
“This will be my first time this year to play in the KAGC event and I hope that I will win or come out second. That is my target,” said Balala.
Balala said that many Kenyans failed to make the cut in South Africa due to lack of exposure and those who have been exposed lack serious tournaments to compete against the world.
“The Africa Amateur was the top tournament on the continent where the who and who competed for top crown. The tournament has really shaped me ahead of the Windsor Classic. The tournament was so big and players came from across the world,” said Balala.
With Windsor teeing off on Friday running all the way to Sunday in a 54-hole tournament, Balala said that it will be easy to play at home after coming from a very difficult and competitive event.
The Nyali player will however deal with defending champion Michael Karanga who won last year’s title when he fired two over par 218 ahead of Ugandan Godfery Nsubuga with two shots at 220.
Also in the mix will be in-form Elvis Muigua, who has won two of the opening tournaments, the Sigona Bowl in Sigona and the inaugural Great Rift Championships before heading to South Africa.
In South Africa, Balala was the only Kenyan to have made the final cut, going ahead to finish in position T14 when he amassed seven over par 295. He started off with three over 75, one under 71, four over 76 and one over 73.
Other Kenyans on the course and failed to make the cut were immediate Kenya team captain Dennis Maara (Limuru), Elvis Muigua (Kiambu), James Kamenchu, Sammy Mulama (Golf Park), Mikael Kihara (Vet Lab) and Steve Orinda (Limuru).
In the women’s Invitational, Chanelle Wangari, who was part of Team Kenya at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open finished in the 4th position after firing eleven over par 227.
She had accompanied Sarah Khanyereri, Naomi Wafula, Ashley Awuor, and Mercy Nyanchama at the tournament that was won by South African Kyra Van Kan who led a 1-2-3 podium finish for the home players with Bobbi Brown and Gia Raad for second and third positions respectively.