Kenya’s golf team demonstrated their prowess and defended their title at the recently concluded Africa Region Four Golf Championships, held at the Par 71 Addis Ababa Golf Club in Ethiopia.
Led by captain Dennis Maara and accompanied by Michael Karang, John Lejirma, and young talent Elvis Muigua, the team showcased their skill and determination, finishing with an impressive three under par and a total score of (+12) 864.
Facing formidable competition from rival team Uganda, Kenya managed to retain the championship for a second consecutive year. Throughout the four-day tournament that commenced on Wednesday, Team Kenya showcased their strength, posting a solid two under par 210 in the opening round, outperforming Uganda’s score of 217.
This set the tone for Kenya’s dominant performance, ultimately securing a total score of (+34) 886, leaving Uganda in second place.
Rwanda claimed the third spot with a score of (+70) 922, while the hosts, Ethiopia, secured the fourth position with a score of (+72) 924. Tanzania followed closely behind, finishing at (+99) 951.
Although Kenya initially trailed behind Uganda on the first day, they quickly regained their momentum, taking the lead during the second and third rounds on Thursday and Friday, respectively. This impressive performance solidified their path to victory.
In addition to the team’s success, Michael Karang excelled individually and claimed the title of the tournament’s best player. Karang’s outstanding final round, where he fired four under par 68, contributed to his remarkable total score of (-4) 280, securing his position as the champion.
John Lejirma also performed admirably, finishing in second place with a score of (+1) 285, showcasing his consistency and talent throughout the four rounds (78, 67, 70, 70).
It is worth noting that the tournament adopted a stroke play format due to the absence of Burundi, which withdrew from the annual competition.
Despite this change, the participating nations displayed remarkable skill and sportsmanship, making the event a true celebration of golf in the region.
