By DISMAS ONYANGO

Amateur golfer Nadeem Alibhai needed a sudden death play-off to beat Kenneth Bollo  and win his first GOTY event of the season, the Karen Challenge at the Karen Country Club after they both tied on 219 points.

Little known Bollo looked destined for the title after stunning an experienced field that included Golf of the Year Series leader David Opati and Nelson Simwa. He recorded 78 gross in first round, posted 70 in round two and wrapped up his sterling performance with 71 in the final round at the 54 holes Challenge.

It was not easy sailing for Bollo as he tied on 219 gross with Alibhai forcing organizers of the event to apply sudden death rule to determine the ultimate winner.

Albhai, the second round aggregate winner, scored 75 gross in round one and added 69 and 75 in next two rounds for the tally of 219 that placed him in second position.

Golfer of the Year (GOTY) Series leader Opati beat Nelson Simwa on yet another count back to finish third overall during the two days competition.

Opati managed 75 gross in round one and added 76 and 71 in next two rounds to end on 222 while Simwa posted 75, 75 and 73 gross to occupy fourth position.

The competition was so tight that John Muiruri needed count back to beat Musa Kisia to the nett winner trophy after the two had tied on 211 points.

Muiruri recorded 73 nett in first round and then added 67 in second round before wrapping up the show with 71 in the third round.

Kisia started off well in round one with impressive 69 but dropped to 70 and 72 in next two rounds on way to finishing second in the tournament which was one of the most competitive in the ongoing GOTY Series.

Gross winner Bollo proved a point after he posted 213 points (76, 68, 69) to finish third overall in the nett ranking.

Anthony Murage came fourth on 215 (71, 73, 71) followed by N Chandaria on 216 (74, 69, 73) who beat N Alibhai (74, 68, 74) and M Lemoshira (70, 71, 75) on count back to finish fifth.

Karen Challenge was 13^th round of the GOTY events sponsored by Keringet Mineral Water and organized by the Kenya Golf Union.

The last five events are: Kenya Amateur Strokeplay Championships (October 20^th), Manchester Salver (November 3-4), Uhuru Shield (November 30 to December 1) and Nyali Open (December 15-16). michael kors site officiel michael kors site officiel

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