Golfer Adel Balala, from Nyali Golf and Country Club, is confident about securing his second Kenya Amateur Golf Championship series title this weekend.
The KAGC series resumes this weekend at the par-72 Thika Sports Club for the 2024 Winston Churchill tournament, running from Friday, April 5 to Sunday, April 7, 2024.
Last month, Balala beat Chandaria Neer in a tense play-off during the Muthaiga Open Club to clinch his first victory at the KAGC title this year.
Speaking to Golf Score Kenya ahead of the Winston Churchill Tournament at Thika, Balala said he has been practising for the last two days for the weekend tournament.
“I have been practising in the past two days, I have also been preparing mentally for the series, and pushing myself a lot in the gym to be physically able to compete, not in Thika alone, but for the whole KAGC series,” said Balala.
Balala will be competing for the title with Winston Churchill’s last year’s defending champion Dennis Maara from Limuru Country Club, KAGC series leader Elvis Muigua from Kiambu and KAGC defending champion Michael Karanga from Kiambu.
Muigua, a 20-year-old is already boasting three KAGC series at the Sigona Bowl, the Great Rift Valley Championship, and the Windsor Classic.
Balala, however, vowed to beat Maara, Karanga and Muigua this weekend.
“Certainly, I have what it takes to win the Winston Churchill tournament in Thika. I won the tournament two years ago, and I remain the most experienced golfer to win this weekend. I will most definitely take it home,” he said.
At the same time, Balala said he is excited to be working again with PGA professional Saleem Hajji in his training to improve his game. Hajji is also the Director of the Vipingo Ridge Golf Academy.
“I’m excited to reunite with Saleem Hajji after a long while. His collaboration and guidance have significantly enhanced my game. Being in Nairobi together makes our partnership even more effective,” said Balala.
Organized by the Thika Sports Club Tournaments Committee and supported by NCBA Bank as the title sponsor, the Winston Churchill tournament has drawn 111 top Kenyan and Ugandan amateur golfers.
They will vie for cash prizes and opportunities to earn points in both the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
Other Kenyan golfers include 2022 Summer Deaflympics bronze medalist Isaac Makokha, Josephat Rono representing Golf Park, and John Lejirma from the Kenya Railway Golf Club.
Home player Betty Ndenderu, Eunice Kilonzo of the Kenya Railway Golf Club, and Anne Kanyori of Thika Greens are the three lady golfers ready to compete shoulder-to-shoulder with their male counterparts.
The Ugandan contingent includes Titus Okwong from Uganda Golf Club, Dominic Musoke and Kakooza Abdallah of Mary Louise Simkins Memorial Golf Club, Andrew Ssekibejja from Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort, and Joseph Kasozi from Kinyara Golf Club.
Thika Sports Club Captain Moses Gatonye expressed excitement about hosting this prestigious event in their golf calendar, anticipating fierce competition.
“We are thrilled to welcome golfers from near and far to the Winston Churchill Golf Tournament. This event not only celebrates the sport of golf but also offers players a platform to showcase their skills. With a strong field comprising top amateurs from Kenya and Uganda, we expect nothing short of thrilling golfing action,” said Gatonye.
The 2024 Winston Churchill Golf Tournament has been sponsored by NCBA Bank as title sponsors, STIHL, and Vivo Energy-Shell.