Kelly Gachaga holding the trophy after victory.

By KGG CORRESPONDENT

Muthaiga’s Kellie Gachaga is the winner of the Kenya Ladies Open, a 54-hole stroke play championship. With this victory the 16-year old handicap-4 junior sensation becomes the top lady amateur golfer in the country.

Gachaga had a rough start to the championship, posting a horrendous score of 14-over gross 85. Addressing the media at the end of the championship she blamed her nerves for the poor performance in Round One.

“I was playing against some of the best players in Kenya – ladies like Florence Maina, Mary Karano, Jane Njoroge and my friend Naomi Wafula, and I was a bit shaky throughout the round,” she said. “My driving was erratic, I couldn’t get my mid-irons on target and my short game was also a bit off – but my dad encouraged me after that first round and I felt better.”

Her dad, Alfred Gachaga is a member of Muthaiga Golf Club and an avid golfer himself. Alf, as he is popularly known, coaches both his daughters, Kellie and Jaimee.

In the second round, Gachaga was on fire through the first nine, scoring six pars, two birdies on the short par-4 3^rd and on the tough par-4 8^th for a 1-under par score of 35. On the back nine, bogeys on the 10^th and 16^th holes and doubles on the 14^th and 16^th holes marred what was otherwise a brilliant card.

“I must make friends with the par-5 10^th hole, it is not a tough hole, but the water feature to the left always gets to me,” Gachaga added. “The 14^th and 15^th were just foolish – I took unnecessary risks and paid the price for it – lesson learnt!’

In the third and final round, the young Gachaga once more breezed through the first nine with five pars, one birdie, two bogeys and a lone double at the long downhill par-3 5^th hole. On the back nine, she found birdies on the 15^th and 17^th holes, added four pars to her tally and finished with a gross score of 76.

Gachaga’s scores of 85, 76 and 76 for a gross total of 237 was enough for a three shot victory over Naomi Wafula whose score of 80, 80 and 80 was enough for a second place finish. Veteran golfers Mary Karano, Jane Njoroge and Florence Maina finished in 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th positions respectively with scores of 247, 248 and 248.

Olive Njagi was the gross winner in Division 2 with a gross score of 298. Rachael Ndei was the runner up with a score of 298, losing on count-back.

The nett winner in Division 2 was Jaimee Gachaga. The 11-year old Jaimee is the sister to Champion Kellie Gachaga. For her efforts, Jaimee’s handicap came down from 35 to 30.

Kellie Gachaga will now proceed to the British Open Junior Championship to be played in Kilmarnock, UK from the 11^th to 13^th July 2016.

“The Junior Open Championship will be a good opportunity for me to judge my skills against those of juniors from across the world, I am looking forward to the experience,” Kellie Gachaga added. “For now, I will keep training and listening to my parents.” nike air max junior nike air max junior

Stephen Muchau Githiaka (right) is the new KGU chairman and Richard Wanjalla (left) will be the Vice Chairman.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Vet Lab Sports Club’s Muchau Githiaka has been elected the new chairman of Kenya Golf Union (KGU).

Githiaka who will serve in 2016/17 was elected during the KGU Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the weekend held at Muthaiga Golf Club. He succeeded Anthony Muhoro who will continue sitting in the KGU board as the immediate former Chairman.
Githiaka joined the KGU in 2011 as an Executive and later served as Hon Secretary in 2014 before rising through the ranks to become the Vice Chairman in 2015.
In his maiden speech, the new KGU boss thanked all the golfers for exuding confidence in him and promised to dedicate his services to the Union at his best. He promised to put more synergy on Golf development as well as searching and developing golfing talents across the country.
Githiaka promised to strengthen GOTY by supporting the players as well as the host clubs with technical assistance in course preparations, running events as well as refereeing.
“Golf is a disciplined sport and can contribute towards the country’s economy. I promise to uphold this and engage the relevant stakeholders in making achieving this reality,” said Githiaka.
He further pledged to ensure full implementation of the strategic plan which will guide us in achieving the above mentioned issues. The KGU Strategic plan is founded on the following Key Priority Areas: Customer Service, Golf as a Sport, Infrastructure, facilities & access to golf.
In the meantime, Richard Nyongesa Wanjalla (Muthaiga) was elected as the Vice Chairman while Limuru’s Lucas Marang’a and Karen’s Anthony Murage were elected as the Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer respectively.
Other Executives that were elected include Ndiga Kithae (Thika), Asif Padamshi (Windsor), George Gathu (KAF) Peter Kiguru(Sigona), Vincent Wang’ombe (Limuru )and Ben Omuodo from Royal Nairobi Golf Club. air max 97 air max 97