Michael Karanga, John Lejirma lead quartet to Africa Region IV golf Championship

Michael Karanga, John Lejirma, Elvis Muigua, and Adel Balala will represent Kenya at this year's Africa Region IV Championship. 

The event is scheduled from Friday 2 to Sunday 6 October at Kigali Golf Resort and Villas. 

Kiambu Golf Club's Karanga, the top-ranked elite amateur golfer so far with 693 points in the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) leads the team as the four look to defend the trophy. 

The competition brings together golfers from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, Seychelles, Reunion Island, and the host nation Rwanda. 

Skipper Lejirma, who was part of the squad that won the trophy last year, beating rivals Uganda 12 over par 864 against the neighbours' 886, has expressed confidence in the side's abilities. 

"Our preparations have been good and the team is in great shape and will bring the trophy home,” said Lejirma ahead of the team's departure. 

Lejirma goes to battle with a similar squad as last year's trophy-winning quartet but for one, Dennis Maara. His place is taken by fourth-ranked Nyali Golf sensation, Balala, making a return to the team after missing out last year. 

The side departs for Rwanda on Wednesday 2 October, accompanied by Kenya Golf Union (KGU) tournament director Chris Kinuthia who confirmed the team had undergone rigorous training for the past month under the guidance of national team coach John Van Liefland.

They will have two practice rounds before action-proper tees off. The Kenyan side will hope to replicate last year's show where one of them, Karanga emerged as the best individual player after shooting a four under par 280 total. Lejirma was second with a 285 aggregate. 

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