Karanga exerts dominance in KAGC series with Limuru Open win

Kiambu Golf Club’s Michael Karanga played a great final round of 68 gross in the 2023 Limuru Open to emerge the champion with an overall score of three under par 72 in the tough playing Limuru Country Club course.

Karanga beat a field of 49 players who made the cut to the final round out of the 96 players that had entered.

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This is his fifth win in the 2023 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series out of the 8 tournaments he has participated in. Karanga missed a 2-yard eagle putt in the final hole but managed to get a birdie which assured him the win by one stroke from the close contestant Godfrey Nsubuga from Uganda.

Nsubuga had a good run in the final round and achieved the best round score in the tournament of five under par, with a glorious eagle on the 18th hole to end up with an overall score of two under par.

Karanga appreciated the support he receives from Kiambu and Ndumberi Golf Clubs and the efforts put in by Limuru Country Club and the Kenya Golf Union in organizing the tournaments.

“I was recently sponsored by the Union to participate in the R&A Amateur Championship and the experience I received is beneficial for the sport here in Kenya. I look forward to such tournaments in the future and defending my title next year” he said.

The KGU Chairman, Philip Ochola, appreciated the event sponsors for ensuring the golfers can earn a living, are motivated to play better and participate in more tournaments.

He further mentioned the essence of the KAGC events which contribute to the world rankings of the players.

“As part of the KAGC Calendar, the Limuru Open not only counts for the Kenya Amateur Ranking Points but also the Club Trophy Points and the World Amateur Golf Ranking Points. We currently have 18 Kenyans ranked in WAGR led by Karanga on position 151 with 688 points. Adel Balala, Elvis Muigua , John Lejirma and Dennis Maara are also among the top 1000 ranked players in the world. We desire to see our players rise higher. This strengthens the profile of our players and the power of the tournaments.”

The players are gearing up next for the 103rd Coast Open “Barry Cup” that is set to be held next weekend at Mombasa Golf Club.  

KAGC Player Ranking and Points- Top 10

1.   Karanga, Michael-Kiambu Golf Club- 778

2.   Lejirma, John-Kenya Railway Golf Club- 499

3.   Muigua, Elvis-Kiambu Golf Club- 338

4.   Maara, Dennis-Limuru Country Club- 275

5.    Nsubuga, Godfrey-Mehta Golf Club- 260

6.   Omollo, Ebill-Vetlab Sports Club- 247

7.   Mulama, Sammy-Golf Park Golf Club- 213

8.   Balala, Adel-Vipingo Golf Resort- 189

9.   Malik, Taimur- Muthaiga Golf Club- 133

10. Rono, Josphat-Golf Park Golf Club- 115

KAGC Club Trophy Ranking and Points- Top 5

1.   Golf Park Golf Club- 574

2.   Kiambu Golf Club- 540

3.   Vetlab Sports Club- 528

4.   Kenya Railways Golf Club- 204

5.   Muthaiga Golf Club- 191