Diani Masters: Muigua Victorious, Nesbitt Shines in Juniors
Muigua’s win brought his points in the KAGC tournament to 1,206, still in third position overall, behind John Lejirma on 2,050 points
efending champion Kamais got off to a poor start with bogeys on the 1st, 6th, 11th, 14th, and 17th to total 77 in his first round. His second round also hung in the balance after double bogeys on the 1st and 10th and other bogeys on the 6th and 15th.Photo/KBC Digital
By Juliet Jerotich
Elvis Muigua took the NCBA Diani Beach Masters at Diamond Leisure Lodge, Diani, in Kwale County. The event is part of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) and was sponsored by NCBA Bank. A total of 55 golfers participated in the event.
Muigua scored 76, 74, and 72 to end 6-over-par 222. His stable performance placed him ahead of defending champion John Kamais and Isaac Makokha by a stroke each, after both had ended the tournament a stroke behind at 223.
In the first round, Muigua started on wobbly feet, accumulating bogeys on the 1st, 10th, 15th, and 18th holes to record a 76. He gained pace in the second round, totaling birdies on the 2nd, 7th, 8th, and 9th, although losing shots on six holes to still record a 74, two better than the first round. The pivotal third round had Muigua taking birdies on the 2nd, 3rd, 9th, and 13th holes, but bogeys on the 7th and 8th and a double bogey on the 10th. This notwithstanding, he stayed level par to win the title.
Defending champion Kamais got off to a poor start with bogeys on the 1st, 6th, 11th, 14th, and 17th to total 77 in his first round. His second round also hung in the balance after double bogeys on the 1st and 10th and other bogeys on the 6th and 15th. Birdies on the 9th and 10th, however, steadied his score at 76. Kamais staged a comeback in style on the final day with a great 2-under-par 70, which featured birdies on the 3rd, 8th, and 9th to finish second.
Makokha came a close second on rounds of 77, a remarkable 71, and in the final round of 75. His second round was his personal best throughout the tournament.
Muigua’s win brought his points in the KAGC tournament to 1,206, still in third position overall, behind John Lejirma on 2,050 points and Michael Karanga on 1,712.
In the junior division, however, Adam Nesbitt was continuing his winning streak in the NCBA U.S. Kids Golf Fall Local Tour. At Limuru Country Club, Nesbitt claimed his third successive crown in the Boys 12 division with 4-over-par 76. His earlier wins were at Ruiru Sports Club and VetLab Sports Club, placing him among the top junior golfers in the country.
The Limuru event saw more than 140 junior golfers. A standout performance was that of Hakeem Mutungi, who won the Boys 9 category with a day-best even-par 36.
The junior tour next takes off at the fifth leg scheduled for September 21 at Sigona Golf Club, where the players will seek to improve on their form.
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