After a short festive holiday break since last month, top leading amateurs returned to the course last weekend determined to display their best skills on the course.

And among them was Kenya’s golfer of the year defending champion Michael Karanga, who came like a wounded lion where he once again stamped his course authority.

The Kiambu club player recorded a total of 212 gross to emerge the overall winner of the Sigona bowl trophy on Sunday evening.

This was the start of the Kenya Golf union (KGU) organised 31 legs in the Kenya Amateur Championship (KAGC) series for this year.

In the three-day 54 holes’ strokes play tournament, Karanga started off with a two over par 74 gross, played a wonderful six under par 66 gross on the second day before finalising with level par on the final day to grab the overall title and walk away with Sh83,200 top prize money.

“I am in good form and looking forward to play well in the forthcoming Magical Kenya open in Nairobi and the Africa Amateur Championship in South Africa. In the Kenya series, my focus now is to recover from some of the tournaments I lost last year,” said Karanga.

Nyali golf and country club’s Adel Balala was second on a total of 217 gross after playing 74,72 and 71 gross in the three rounds and was awarded Sh46,920.

National team captain John Lejirma from Kenya Railways was third with a total of 220 gross from 77,75 and 68 gross, and was happy with a cash prize of Sh33,280.

Kellie Gachaga from Karen Country Club, who shocked the course to take lead in day one on a level par 70 gross, however, finished fourth overall, but emerged the tournament’s top lady with a total of 222 gross where she was awarded Sh24,960.

A total of 20 top players and ties shared the total cash prize Sh450,000 in the tournament that featured top leading 156 golfers from golf clubs across Kenya, as well as international colleagues from Tanzania, China, Great Britain, Rwanda, and Uganda.

This prestigious tournament marked the beginning of the 2025 season for the NCBA supported KAGC, which is a year-long series featuring 31 events across the country.

It was played over three days where all players competed in the first two rounds in day one on Friday and day two on Saturday after which the top 33 players along with ties made the cut to the final round on Sunday.