Kiambu golfer Michael Karanmga redeemed his image to be crowned the Karen Challenge champion, the Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) series at the par 72 Karen golf club on Sunday evening after he was floored at the Nandi Shield Open last weekend.
The KAGC series leader won a record twelve titles beating Kopan Timbe’s 11 when he fired a total of one over par 217 in the three day 54 hole tournament.
In his third and final round on Sunday, the Kenya Amateur Match play champion carded level par 72 to add on his four over par 76 in the opening round and three under par 69 to take home the title.
Karanga had vowed to topple Timbe’s record when he won the 88th edition of the Ghana Open Golf Championships early this month at the World Gold Club in Tema, Ghana.
“I wanted to set the record and that was achieved today. The record had stayed for long,” said Karanga.
Karanga won the KAGC opener at Sigona and followed it up with back-to-back wins at the Windsor Classic, Muthaiga Open, Railways Invitation, Coronation Trophy, Limuru Open, Coast Open, Kenya Amateur Matchplay, Vasco da Gama, Kenya Amateur Strokeplay, the Kabete Open and now the Karen Challenge.
He edged out Vet lab’s Ebill Omollo and Mombasa’s Sammy Mulama who all tied in the second position with five over par 221 while reigning series champion John Lejirma from the Kenya Railways tied in 4th with Golf Park’s Josephat Rono at ten over 226.
Leaderboard after final round
- Michael Karanga (Kiambu) 76, 69 72= 217
T2 Ebill Omollo (Vet Lab) 76, 74, 71= 221
T2. Sammy Mulama (Mombasa) 74, 70, 77=221
T4. John Lejirma (Kenya Railways) 84, 72, 70=226
T4. Josephat Rono (Golf Park) 75, 75, 76=226
- Khan Zubair (Muthaiga) 78, 74, 76=228
- Joyce Wanjiru (Kiambu) 73, 75, 81=229
- Elly Barno (Nandi Bears) 79, 72, 80=231
T9. Peter Macharia (Golf Park) 81, 74, 77= 232
T9. Naomi Wafula (Vipingo) 78, 75, 79=232