Maara books Kenya Open slot with Match Play victory

Limuru Golf and Country Club elite amateur Dennis Maara became the first golfer to book a ticket to next year’s Magical Kenya Open thanks to his victory at the 100th edition of the Amateur MatchPlay Championship.

Maara defeated home golfer Jay Sandhu 7-6 at the Royal Nairobi to lift the title at the four-day event that attracted 88 amateur players. He dethroned John Lejirma who had won the title last year to book a ticket to the Open.

The final was a 36-hole match-up with Maara going five up in the first 18 holes. His journey to the top began against Carlo Wambasi, after which he faced another fierce golfer in Paul Muchangi in the round of 16.

He faced off with Uganda’s top amateur Joseph Cwinyaai, the Kenyan winning 5-4 to advance to the semifinal. Up against Kenya Amateur Stroke-Play champion Adel Balala in the semis, Maara had to fight to make it to the final.

On his part, Sandhu who lost last year’s Match Play championship at the Vet lab to Isaac Makhoha, defeated Willy Mastamet in the round of 32 Kihara in the round of 16 and Ebill Omollo in the last eight to set up a clash with Njoroge Kibugu in the last four.

“Jay put up a good fight but I do not think he had his game in the final. It is a fantastic feeling. I got a chance to play in the Open last year and to get the ticket at the first opportunity is a blessing.

When I went five up in the first 18 I did not even think I had it. I had to maintain the game plan which was hitting the fairways and greens.

My putting was particularly good from the stroke play on Thursday and as the competition went on it got better and I had more confidence in it,” offered an elated Maara.

The golfer singled out the final as the toughest of the four rounds, admitting that there was pressure. He was, however, quick to mention that playing Wambasi in the round of 32 was tough.

“Everyone wrote Wambasi off but he was one of the hardest opponents to play as was Balala. It feels good to have the ticket to the Open and now I can take a break. Playing 36 holes in qualifying was a bit grueling.

At some point I was exiting the championship and I had to fight on the last 18 to remain in the competition,” Maara explained.