Vipingo Ridge golfer Adel Balala recorded his maiden victory in the 2023 Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) series after winning the inaugural Ruiru Open at the par 73 Ruiri Golf club on Sunday afternoon.
After missing out on team Kenya slot for Africa Region Four golf championships that concluded last weekend in Ethiopia, Balala fired a total of one under par 218 for the title to edge out his main opponents Ebill Omollo from vet Lab and Golf Park’s Raphael Leming’ani, whom they tied in the second round on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s 4th and final round.
Balala, who was in team Kenya last year fired level par 73 with his one under par 72 and level in the opening round to win.
On Sunday, he managed to sink four birdies in the opening hole, 4th, 9th and 15th with numerous pars, dropping a shot in five and six before dropping two in 17th for level par 73.
A week after leading Kenya to retain the Africa Region Four title, Captain Dennis Maara from Limuru golf club was second with (+2) 221. Maara failed the record his second win in the series after winning the Winston Churchill title played at the Thika Sports in April.
Muthaiga’s Tumur Malik, Omollo, reigning KAGC series champion JohnLejirma from Kenya Railways and Leming’ani were all tied in third position at (5) 224.
His round three joint leaders Omollo and Leming’ani dropped to T3 on (+5) 225.
Top six leader board after round four
- Adel Balala (Vipingo Ridge) 73, 72, 73= 218
- Dennis Maara (Limuru) 75, 72, 74= 221
- Rafael Leminghian (Golf Park) 72, 73, 79= 224
- Tuimur malik (Muthaiga) 76, 71,77= 224
- Ebill Omollo (Vet Lab) 75, 70, 79= 224
- John Lejirma (kenya Railways) 73, 75, 76= 224
- Mike Ngene (Kiambu) 76, 75, 75= 226
- Joseph gathumbi (Kenya Railways) 74, 78, 74= 226
- Josphat Rono (Golf Park) 76, 77, 74 227
- Christopher Andrea (Ruiru) 74, 77, 76= 227
Top six leader board after round two
- Adel Balala (Vipingo Ridge) 73, 72, 73= 218
- Dennis Maara (Limuru) 75, 72, 74= 221
- Rafael Leminghian (Golf Park) 72, 73, 79= 224
- Tuimur malik (Muthaiga) 76, 71,77= 224
- Ebill Omollo (Vet Lab) 75, 70, 79= 224
- John Lejirma (kenya Railways) 73, 75, 76= 224
- Mike Ngene (Kiambu) 76, 75, 75= 226
- Joseph gathumbi (Kenya Railways) 74, 78, 74= 226
- Josphat Rono (Golf Park) 76, 77, 74 227
- Christopher Andrea (Ruiru) 74, 77, 76= 227