Wafula claims strokeplay golf championship

Kenya’s leading female golfer Naomi Wafula beat Nyali’s Tahir Mohammed by two shots, to claim the Kenya Junior Amateur Strokeplay Golf Championship at Muthaiga Golf Club Thursday.

The handicap two Wafula, who had tied with Mohammed after three rounds, shot seven over par 78 in the final round for a total of 303. “Today was very tough, I think after playing three rounds, I got tired,” said Wafula who missed a number of birdie putts.

Mohammed (pictured) with eight over par in the opening round almost gave up. “I dropped many shots at the first nine, but managed to sink two birdies at the back nine where I had birdie chances right from the 15th hole.

But I only sunk birdies at the 17th and 18th,” said Mohammed who won the A Division (16-18 years) category with 305 after firing 10 over par 80.

He beat Coast Open champion Mathew Wahome by three shots while Royal Nairobi’s Karl Gatiramu won the overall nett with 271 nett. Another Nyali junior Adel Balala retained the B Division title (13-15) years with a score of 309 gross, beating his club-mate Agil Is-Haq by 12 shots.

INTERNATIONAL EVENT

Ikinu Wambugu won the C Division (12 years and under) with 365 gross, winning ahead of Dev Savani on 365. The event which was sponsored by Crown Paints attracted a field of 55 golfers.

The Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) also used the event to select three teams for international events. JGF chairman Ashwin Gidoomal said the top four in order of merit Mathew Wahome, Daniel Nduva, Tahir Mohamed and Adel Balala will join the Uganda bound national team for the East Africa Challenge Cup.

The top eight including Wafula, Is-Haq, John Mburu and Krishan Sarna will play in the Rapid Communications trophy between the junior and senior teams and a professional select. The top six minus Wafula will travel to Namibia for the triangular between Kenya, Namibia and Zimbabwe.