Former armature golf champion reclaims title from defender

By Tobby Otum

Kenya Railway golf club golfer John Lejirma has reclaimed the Kenya Amateur Stroke Play Championship title from defending Champion Adel Balala of Nyali Golf & Country Club over the weekend at the famous Vipingo Ridge in Kilifi county.

Lejirma, who also won a cash award of Sh 102,747 was introduced for the first time after collecting 229 cross score with 299 points.

The new champion was playing off 3 handicap through break down of four rounds of the four day championships with 77-73-72-72.

He widened the gap on the last day of the championship after being neck to neck with his closes rivals during the tough encounter.

The best golfers were on same flight which left the organizers of the championship guessing up to the last 18 bunker holes to be the deciding factor.

Lejirma, who savored his sweet revenge, beat Balala at the home turf hands down to push him to the fourth slot.

Lejirma has three more tournaments to clear to become the golf player of the year after being ranked leading top golf player with aggregate 523.1 points.

Back to the championship Lejirma has now earned himself an automatic entry into the 2023 Magical Kenya Open after the four day championship at Baobab course over the weekend with only 49 out of 76 elite golfers having proceed to the third and fourth rounds.

Bronze deaf Olympic champion Issac Makiha and Sammy Mulama tied in the second slot after collecting 309 cross score with 309 points.

The brief awarding ceremony was graced by Kenya Golf Union [KGU] Chairman Njani Ndiritu and the KGU vice chairman Philip Ochola who gave a standing ovation to the new champion.