National amateurs’ record holder Michael Karanga wants to put his winning record beyond reach in the amateurs category.
The Kiambu golfer, who fired five under 208 to win the Manchester Salver title at the par 71 Eldoret Golf Club, said he wants to extend his national winning record to ensure it is untouchable for many years to come.
Karanga broke Kopan Timbe’s national record during the Karen Challenge three weeks ago after notching 12 wins as compared to Timbe’s 11. With the Eldoret triumph, he now has 13 wins in a single season.
Karanga took the Round Two lead after beating Round One leader Josphat Rono from Golf Park.
In his opening round, he sunk one under par 70 and one over par 72 before a whooping -5 66 for a total of 208. This saw him beat second-placed John Lejirma with 12 shots at 220.
In the third and final round, an eagle in the 18th hole boosted his victory after birdies in three par 4, 8th, 13th par 5, 14th par 4, and 16th par 3 with all pars except in dropping two shots in 10th par 4.
Lejirma, the Nandi Open Shield and Hippo Pot champion, finished second ahead of home player Kenneth Serem on 221 with Round One leader Rono coming in fourth.
Elsewhere, handicap 26 golfer Caroline Nyarandi was named the overall winner of the 16th leg of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour at the par 71 Nyali Golf Club on Saturday.
She carded an impressive score of 44 Stableford points to beat a field of 191 golfers who registered for the tourney and made it to the day’s overall team winners. The team of William Kaguta, Edwin Kiptoo, Caroline Nyarandi, and Raajkamal Dhanjal returned a combined score of 118 points to emerge as the winning team.
They beat their closest challengers Detan Ondieki, Wilson Rading, Peter Umara, and Joan Kimani who returned 112 points. The two teams now join 13 other teams that have qualified for the grand finale of the series that will be held at the Karen Country Club on December 15.
Speaking after her win, Nyarandi said: “I have been in good form in the past few weeks. This is the third time I have won a golf tournament here at the Nyali in recent weeks. Today, my swing was there, and I had an amazing four-ball. It is time to continue sharpening my skills as I eagerly await the grand finale in Nairobi.”
Playing off handicap 28, Mukesh Sanghavi carded 42 Stableford points to scoop the overall men-winner award while handicap 31 lady golfer Annemarie De-Jong carded 39 points to clinch the lady-winner award.
