Uganda’s R. Otile lines his putt during the final round. He posted the send best individual score at the AAGTC competition at Limuru Club.

By KGG REPORTER

Kenya rallied from third position at the beginning of the final round to finish second behind dominant champions South Africa as curtains came down at this year’s Africa Amateur Golf Team Championships (AAGTC) at the par 72 Limuru Golf and Country Club today.

The team comprising of skipper John Karichu, John Kariuki, Bo Ciera and Jay Sandhu, stemmed their penultimate day tide which saw them drop from joint leadership to third spot, with improved play, to finish with an overall score of 14 over par (890).

The brilliant performance on Thursday could, however, not match a spirited South Africa who recovered from Day Two mishap to finish with four under par (872) victory and a massive 18 shot cushion from their closest opponents Kenya. The Southerners confirmed their dominance with the victory as they remained the only country to have won it since its inauguration fifteen years ago.

Kariuki became the only Kenyan to card an under par score in the tournament when he registered one under par 72 during today’s final round as Ciera and Sandhu got their marks into the Kenyan tally with par (73) performances. Karichu’s two over par (75) score failed to make the grades on the final day which also saw Zimbabwe, the overnight leaders drop to third position.

Kenya carded a combined tally of one over par (220) on the opening day of the championships with scores from Kariuki (par) Sandhu (par) and Karichu’s one over par (74) as Ciera’s score did not count. A three over par (222) on day two aided by a calamitous performance by the defending champions saw the home team hold a joint 4 over par (442) lead with South Africa.

The locals then succumbed to high pressure of sitting atop the leader board on the penultimate day, carding their worst score in the tournament. An 11 over par (230) aggregate score contributed by Karichu (2 over par 75), Sandhu (4 over par 77), Kariuki (5 over par 78) and Ciera (6 over par 79) saw them slide from joint first to third behind Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The final day revival was too little and too late for Kenya as the Southerners led by the best player in this year’s tournament Aubrey Beckley had carded enough to yet again win the championships. Beckely was crowned best overall player with a personal aggregate score of 4 under par (288). Uganda’s Ronald Otile claimed the second best individual gong with a score of 2 under par (290) and another South African Andre Nel wrapped up the final podium position with a level (292) performance.

Kariuki and Karichu, the best performing Kenyans placed a joint 8^th overall with 5 over par (297) while Sandhu and Ciera finished 13^th and 20^th respectively.

Final results:

South Africa 872

Kenya 890

Zimbabwe 892

Zambia 904

Uganda 906

Mauritius 907

Tanzania 932

Tunisia 941

Egypt 945

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South Africa’s Jason Smith lines his part during today’s action at Limuru Club.

By KGG REPORTER

A four-member Kenya team taking part in the 15^th edition of Africa Amateur Golf Team Championships slipped to third position on the leader board after finishing the second day in joint top position and now lay behind Zimbabwe and South Africa with just one day of play remaining at Limuru Golf and Country Club.

The host team comprising of, John Karichu, Bo Ciera, John Kariuki and Jay Sandhu failed to take advantage of defending champions South Africa’s day two catastrophe as they carded dismal scores torday to let Zimbabwe gain pole position heading into the last match day.

Kenya will now have a mountain to climb tomorrow in order to march or surpass the leaders who hold an eight shot lead.

Karichu was Kenya’s best player today with a 2 over par (75) score followed by Sandhu who shot 4 over par (77) while John Kariuki carded 5 over par (78) to leave Kenya wallowing in 15 over par (672) total score.

Leaders Zimbabwe who started the day third slipped into the lead following a joint 219 score from their best three players. Their 5 over par (662) score is two shots better than second placed South Africa who risk losing the title they have won since its inception. Uganda are fourth on the leaderboard with a 18 over par (675) and have since given up hope of winning the overall title.

Kenyan Coach Brian Njoroge expressed shock at the dismal showing by his charges saying such performances are not what he envisaged. The dream of winning the tournament is slowly fading away from Kenya who are hosting it for the first time.

“It is disturbing when when are struggling to record a level (par) score on this course which the players are used to. I thought we could hold our nerves and raise our game after starting the day joint top but things have turned out opposite. We will try and recollect and see if we can finish on a high today because one good day can win us the title and all teams have been inconsistent,” he said.
Day 3 Results:
1. ZIMBABWE- T. Masunga 75, R. Chinhoi 74, V. Mapwanya 75, D. Amm: 70, TALLY: 219,
TOTAL: 662

2. SOUTH AFRICA- A. Nel 75: A. Beckley 70, J. Buitendechi 78, J. Smith 77, TALLY: 222,
TOTAL: 664

3. KENYA- J. Kariuki: 78, B. Ciera: 79, J. Karichu: 75, J. Sandhu: 77, TALLY: 230,
TOTAL: 672

4. UGANDA- A. Muhumuza 78, R. Bukenya 77, R. Otile 71, D. Baguma 79, TALLY: 227, TOTAL: 675 nike air max ladies nike air max ladies