Coast lady golfer Naomi Wafula crowned the 2024 KLGU Matchplay Lady champion

Coast Lady Golfer Naomi Wafula had every reason to smile after being crowned the 2024 Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) Match Play lady Champion that ended at the 18 holes par 72 Thika Greens Golf Resort Golf Course in Kiambu County on Sunday.

The Vipingo Baobab Ridge Golf Resort Club’s Wafula beat Royal Nairobi’s Ashley Awuor 2-1 in match three finals to Clinch the trophy that was being held by Defending Champion Diana Mbuba also from Royal.

Mbuba’s journey to retain her title was cut short from day one by Awuor who trounced her out of the match on the 21^st hole sudden death playoff.

Wafula’s victory started on day one on Friday with a bye to meet with Nakuru’s Emma Pennington in day two on Saturday beating her 7-6.

“We had a really Chilly morning. But that did not stop Ahsley and I from playing great Golf. We were really playing well so finally on 17th I emerged victorious. Am grateful for the win, I thank God so much for the strength through all the rounds. Am grateful to my sponsors Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) and Vipingo ridge and now am looking forward to my next tournament next week at Nyeri. Asante, “said Wafula.

Runners up placed Awuor started off on a high note showing dust to Belinda Wanjiru by 1 up in the first-round match one on Friday and beat Bianca Ngechu 1 up in the second match on Saturday before being silenced in the finals by Wafula.

The Division A was won by Benta Khanili on a 2-1 against Brianna Ngechu while Susan Ngure on a 1 up against Beatrice Odhiambo scooped the Division B category.

In the Stableford Sunday Am Subsidiary, Carol Kibanya carded 37 points to emerge the winner as Margaret Njoki settled for the runners up slot on 34 points beating Frankie Gichuru to the third with a two points difference.

Penny Wambui teaming up with Belinda Wanjiru recorded 40 points to win the Subsidiary Foursomes on Saturday while Margaret Njoki teaming up with Diana Mbuba on 33 points and the team of Mukami Wangai and Gitimu Nyambura with 36 points were placed second and third respectively.

The event organized by the Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) attracted several leading Lady Amateur golfers from across Golf Clubs in the Country.

KLGU Event Convenor Betty Mutua said the tournament that was open to Amateur female Golfers is a Golfer of the Year Event (GOTY) and is the oldest and most prestigious Amateur women’s Golf tournament in the Country and this year was also a World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) competition.

The event was also graced by the KLGU Chairman Jane Nzibo who thanked the Ladies for making the event successful and promised that the Union was doing everything possible to bring in more ladies from across the Country to join the Sport of the Golf.

Others present were the KLGU past KLGU Chairman Jane Alice, KLGU past Chairman Rose Mwarania and KLGU immediate past Chairman Lydia Obonyo among others.

Thika greens KLGU representative Mary Muthoni praised KLGU for bringing the tourney to the Club and hoped all the players and Guests enjoyed their stay both at the course and the Club facilities promising that next year it will be greater.

FULL RESULTS; KLGU AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP;

Lady Champion-Naomi Wafula-2&1, Runners up-Ashley Awuor-2 up, Semi-finalists-Bianca Ngechu &Emma Pennington.

Division A winner-Benta Khanili-2 & 1, Runners up-Brianna Ngechu-2up, Semifinalists-Bett Ndenderu &Mwongeli Nzioka.

Division B winner-Susan Ngure-1 up, Runners up-Odhiambo Beatrice-6&5, Semi-Finalists-Siphara Nyongesa & Nancy Gatwiri.

Sunday Am Subsidiary Stableford winner-Carol Kibanya-37 points, Runners up-Margaret Njoki-34 points,Third-Frankie Gichuru-32 points.

Saturday PM Subsidiary Four Somes winner-Penny Wambui/Belinda Wanjiru-40points, Runners up-Margaret Njoki/Diana Mbuba-33points, Third-Mukami Wangai/Gitimu Nyambura-36 points.