Kiambu Golf captain Mike Nyangi has promised a tough competition at the inaugural Kiambu Open, the Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) series on par 71 Kiambu golf club this weekend.
Nyangi said that top amateurs will be battling for the title, hoping the home player Michael Karanga will shine on home course despite facing a challenge from series leader John Lejirma, second placed Jay Sandhu and Ugandan Michael Alunga who are the favourite at the tee off.
According to the draw released on Thursday, 74 amateurs will be battling for the title in a tournament that tees off on Saturday 19th to 20th on Sunday in a 36-hole tournament.
“We are ready for the challenge and hosting the event for the first time, we need to be at our best. With the coming of the rains, the course is expected to be very tough,” said Nyangi.
At the same time, he said that he expects a big turn-out since the series is making inroads to the club.
“As much as we are expecting a large number of players, it will be another opportunity for golfers to enjoy our serene environment. With Karanga in the mix, we expect him to take home advantage come the weekend,” said Nyangi.
Last weekend, Alunga was the top amateur golfer during the Linda Maji Mtaani Pro-Am tournament in the professional tournament when he finished 4th on level par 142 on par 71 course behind the winner George Felix of Kenya Railways, Jeff Kubwa of Muthaiga and John Wangai.
Lejirma leads the series with 523 points ahead of Royal Nairobi’s Jay Sandhu with 474 as Alunga takes third position with 436 points with Dennis Maara from Limuru is on 389 points followed by Golf Park’s Sammy Mulama in 5th with 276 as Nyali’s Adel Balala comes in 6th position with 267 and Muthaiga’s Njoroge Kibugu complete the top seven positions with 258 points.
Saturday draw
Jabez Ojowa (Vet Lab Sports Club), Lavin Asego (Golf Park Golf Club) J.K. Biriri (Kiambu Golf Club), Aron Kitur (Eldoret Club), WILFRED MWANGI (Kiambu Golf Club), STEVEN ARUNDEL (Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club), Jesse (Jr) Waithaka (Golf Park Golf Club), Isaac Makokha (Vet Lab Sports Club), PETER WAIHARO (Kiambu Golf Club), BENARD OMONDI (Ruiru Sports Club), Feisal Lasker (Mombasa Golf Club) KELVIN MAINA(NDUJNR (Kiambu Golf Club), Bethwel Ogwayo (Sigona Golf Club), Ken Mwaura (Kiambu Golf Club), KEVIN KOGO (JNR) (Royal Nairobi Golf Club), Josphat Rono (Golf Park Golf Club), JAMES M. MWANGI (Kenya Railway Golf Club), DERRICK (JNR) GITAU (Kiambu Golf Club), MICHEAL ALUNGA (Uganda Golf Club), ROWNY NG’ETICH (JNR) (Royal Nairobi Golf Club), E NDUJNR MUIGUA (Kiambu Golf Club), DANIEL TANUI (Kericho Golf Club), Rafael Leming’ani (Golf Park Golf Club), CHRIS KIMANI (Kiambu Golf Club), Maina Nduati (Machakos Sports Club), MICHAEL NENE (Kiambu Golf Club), Darren Chesumei (Golf Park Golf Club), Newton Ong’alo (Kakamega Sports Club), Joshua Maina (Golf Park Golf Club), JOHN KANGETHE (Kiambu Golf Club), KIGEN KOITABA (JNR) (Royal Nairobi Golf Club), NAHASHON MBURU (Kiambu Golf Club), Franklin Kipyator (Eldoret Club), HENRY KARUMA (Kiambu Golf Club), Carl Wambasi (Vet Lab Sports Club), Geoffrey Muiruri (Muthaiga Golf Club), Michael NYANGI (Kiambu Golf Club) Eng. J.K. Kosgei (Eldoret Club), CEASAR MUGO (Kiambu Golf Club), SAMMY MURIU (Kiambu Golf Club) Sam Kingori (Sigona Golf Club), Ken Lucas (Golf Park Golf Club), Simon Karari (Thika Green Golf Resort), Hillary Imbukwa (Vet Lab Sports Club), GW KURIA (Kiambu Golf Club), JN KINUTHIA(NDU), (Kiambu Golf Club), William Muguima (Sigona Golf Club), Martin Muritu (Golf Park Golf Club), JOHNSTONE KIMANZI (Kiambu Golf Club), Chrisphine Owuor (Jnr) (Vet Lab Sports Club), Kisochi Mwanyange (Golf Park Golf Club), Hill Kip (Golf Park Golf Club), John Wambari (Limuru Country Club), MICHAEL(NDU) KARANGA (Kiambu Golf Club), Crispus Kanyiri (Golf Park Golf Club), Erick Karagu (Thika Green Golf Resort) Dr Paul Murumba (Kiambu Golf Club), NGATA KIMONDO (Kiambu Golf Club), Frankline Ashiundu (Vet Lab Sports Club), Sylvester Etaan (Golf Park Golf Club), NJENGA MBUGUA (Kiambu Golf Club), JOHN LEJIRMA (Kenya Railway Golf Club), REUBEN LANGAT (Kericho Golf Club), DAVID NDIRANGU (Kiambu Golf Club), Kelvin Barasa (Cdy) (Great Rift Valley Golf Club), JAMES OCHIENG (Machakos Sports Club), JOSEPH GATHUMBI (Kenya Railway Golf Club), CHRIS KIEU (Kiambu Golf Club), JEFF MACHARIA (Limuru Country Club), Patrick Abira (Golf Park Golf Club), NJUGUNA KIMANI (Kiambu Golf Club), NICHOLAS GATHURU (Limuru Country Club), Harrison MWAURA (Kiambu Golf Club), Samuel Thumbi (Vet Lab Sports Club) and FREDRICK NJAGI (Kiambu Golf Club)