Michael Karanga of Kiambu Golf Club emerged victorious at the 2024 NCBA Uhuru Shield Golf Tournament, held over three days at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club.
Karanga posted an impressive total of 204 points, finishing four under par (-4).
He delivered a stellar performance, carding rounds of 67, 68, and 71 to secure a comfortable seven-stroke lead over his closest competitor, Jean D’Amour Hitayezu from Rwanda.
Hitayezu finished with a total score of 213 (+1), while Team Kenya Captain John Lejirma claimed third place with a score of 214 (+2).
“The first round I played very good golf, a three-under, and the second day a two-under. On the last day, despite a knee injury, I played one-over for a total of four-under,” said Karanga.
This triumph at Royal Nairobi marks Karanga’s ninth title in the 2024 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series.
He now leads the series with 834.5 points from 17 tournaments.
Last year, he won 13 out of 17 tournaments.
“This win is crucial for my KAGC title. Last year, I was declared the overall winner after winning 13 out of 17 titles. This year, this is my ninth win, and I’m on track to retain the trophy,” he said.
Karanga’s remarkable season includes victories in prestigious tournaments such as the NCBA Kiambu Golf Open, NCBA Manchester Salver, and NCBA Kenya Railways Invitational.
Other are NCBA Coronation Cup, NCBA Limuru Open, NCBA Coast Open Barry Cup, Karen Challenge, and the Malindi Open Vasco da Gama Cup.
Rwanda’s Hitayezu praised the tournament as a challenging experience, particularly competing against Karanga and Lejirma.
“It was a good challenge. I was leading on the first day and poised to win, but I settled for second place, after the third round, and I’m grateful,” said Hitayezu.
He said he hopes to win more tournaments next year.
Lejirma, who has participated in 23 tournaments this year, vowed not to give up until the final tournament at the Nyali Open in two weeks.
“Uhuru Shield didn’t go as planned, but I won’t give up until the last minute. I’ll take this as a learning curve, go back to the drawing board, and work on my entire game,” he said.
Lejirma has won five titles in this year’s KAGC.
He is second in the 2024 KAGC rankings with 646 points.
His wins include the NCBA Diani Beach Masters, NCBA Gold Fields Trophy at Kakamega Golf Club, NCBA Ruiru Open, the Ronald Marshal and Toby Gibson Cup at Njoro Golf Club, and the Trans Nzoia Open.