William Odeck from Nyali emerged victorious in the 47th NCBA Kenya Amateur Stroke Play Championship held at the Par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club on Sunday.
Odeck clinched the title after a thrilling playoff against Michael Karanga from Kiambu Golf Club. Both players finished the regulation four rounds tied with a total score of 293, leading to a three-hole playoff on holes 13, 14, and 18.
During the playoff, Michael Karanga bogeyed holes 13 and 18, managing a par on hole 14, ending with a score of +2. Meanwhile, Odeck parred hole 13 but bogeyed holes 14 and 18, securing victory by one stroke over Karanga and marking his first-ever win in the KAGC series.
“I had never won any KAGC event since I started playing in the series about six years ago,” shared the 34-year-old Odeck.
Reflecting on his unexpected victory, Odeck remarked, “I didn’t expect this victory. On the first day, I played seven over par, and on the following day, I had a +2. I just wanted to finish this event below +10.”
Odeck’s triumph also guarantees him a direct entry to next year’s Kenya Open.
Michael Karanga, known for his precision and consistent performance, has already claimed three trophies in this year’s KAGC series. His victories include the 104th NCBA Coast Open ‘Barry Cup’ at Mombasa Golf Club on July 28, the NCBA Coronation Cup at Nakuru on June 2, and the NCBA Limuru Open on July 7.
The 47th NCBA Kenya Amateur Stroke Play Championship drew 96 participants from Ethiopia, India, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. The four-day tournament, running from Thursday to Sunday, was dedicated to the memory of Kenya’s first President, the Late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, and was known as the “Kenyatta Memorial Bowl.”
The trophy was first presented in 1978 by Chris Kahara, the Kenya Golf Union’s first African chairman, and Col. M.J. Harbage, who chaired the KGU during the 1977/78 term.
