Karanga starts 2025 KAGC season with Sigona Bowl win

Kenya’s top amateur golfer, Michael Karanga, has issued an early warning to his rivals in the 2025 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series, signaling his determination to dominate the season.

Karanga, who made a slow start last season, but ultimately retained the KAGC series title, formerly known as the "Golfer of the Year" title, aims for a more consistent performance this year.

“My plan is to defend my titles and reclaim those I didn’t win last year. Better still, I’d like to play well in the Africa Amateur Championship in South Africa next month, as well as the Magical Kenya Open at Muthaiga,” Karanga said after reclaiming the NCBA Bank-sponsored Sigona Bowl trophy at Sigona Golf Club on Sunday.

Despite an initial setback—a double bogey on the par-four second hole, one of Sigona’s toughest—Karanga quickly recovered. He finished the opening round at two-over-par 74, just behind former ladies’ champion Kellie Gachaga.

“In general, I didn’t play the first nine of the opening round well, but I’m glad I managed to improve on the back nine with a bogey-free four-under-par finish to close the round. After that, I decided to catch up with the leader,” Karanga said.

The turning point came in the second round, where Karanga shot an incredible six-under-par 66, including seven birdies and an eagle. This performance propelled him to the top of the leaderboard, leading the top 33 players who survived the second-round cut.

“I must thank my sponsors, Betika and KenGen, for believing in me and my game. With their support, I will definitely go places this year,” added Karanga, who will represent Kenya in the Africa Amateur Championship at Leopard Creek Country Club in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

During Sunday’s final round, Karanga faced challenges, picking up four bogeys on the front nine. However, a crucial birdie on the ninth hole and four more birdies on the back nine saw him level the round at par 72. His three-round total of four-under-par 212 secured a five-shot victory over Nyali’s Adel Balala.

The win earned Karanga 96 points toward the KAGC Order of Merit and Sh83,200 in prize money. Balala, who posted a closing one-under-par 71 for a total of one-over-par 217, earned 46 points and Sh49,920. National team captain John Lejirmah finished third with 44 points and KSh 33,280.

Meanwhile, round one leader Kellie Gachaga struggled to maintain her initial lead. She posted 80 and 72 in the subsequent rounds to finish on six-over-par 222, earning KSh 24,960.

The next event in the 31-tournament series will be the Mt. Kenya Championship in Nyeri. Following that, Kenya’s team of eight men and four women will head to South Africa for the Africa Amateur Championship. The winner of that tournament will secure a spot in the prestigious British Open, also known as “The Open Championship.”