Sandhu wins Uhuru shield to move closer to KAGC title

Jay Sandhu carried the day at this year's Uhuru Shield, returning a gross score of 216 after three days of action at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club.

The competition held from 2 to 4 December saw the Muthaiga Golf Club resident golfer take advantage of the knowledge of the Royal Nairobi course where he started his golfing career to win and move closer to dislodging Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) leader John Lejirma from the helm.

Lejirma, who won the Nandi Bears leg last weekend, leads the standings on 571 points, 14.6 more than Sandhu who is second at 556..

“My game has been very good as I am hitting the ball pretty well though my putting has not been 100 per cent. All the same, I am very happy winning the Uhuru Shield because it has put me at a fairly safe place for next year’s Magical Kenya Open,’’ Sandhu, who plays well at Royal particularly where the course is a bit wet, told Nation Sport.

In second position was James Kamenchu with a 9 over gross score of 225. Michael Alunga of Uganda Golf Club finished in the third position after playing a 14 over gross score of 230.

Jay played a 3 over par in the first round of the tournament and tied with Kamenchu of Kenya Railway Golf Club in the first position.

In the second round, he played one under par and on the last day he shot a fantastic two under par maintaining the lead by nine strokes.

The second last event of the KAGC series attracted 60 players from various clubs in the country and Uganda. The players compete for KAGC ranking points which contribute to the selection of amateurs to the 2023 Magical Kenya Open.

Golfer Wahome among nominees for Soya’s most promising award

Two amateurs, Dennis Maara and Lejirma have already earned slots after winning the Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship and Kenya Amateur Strokeplay Championship respectively.

The chairman of the Kenya Golf Union Njani Ndiritu, thanked Royal Nairobi Golf Club for hosting and sponsoring the tournament. He also thanked the players for participating in the KAGC series which have been played all through the year.

The last tournament of the 2022 KAGC Series will be played at the Nyali Golf & Country Club from 9 to 11 December.

Kenya Railways Golf Club' Lejirma and Sandhu and will be competing for the prestigious Kenya One title in this last event.

Uhuru Shield Leaderboard

1.Jay Sandhu 75,71,70 = 216

2. James Kamenchu 75,74,76 = 225

3. Michael Alunga 77,78,75 = 230

4. Isaac Makokha 83,76,72 = 231

5. Dennis Maara 80,73,78 =231

KAGC Ranking After Uhuru Shield

1. John Lejirma – Kenya Railway Golf Club – 571 points

2. Jay Sandhu – Muthaiga Golf Club – 556.4 points

3. Michael Alunga – Uganda Golf Club – 449.7 points

4. Dennis Maara – Limuru Country Club – 397.6 points

5. Sammy Mulama – Golf Park Golf Club – 286.8 points

6. Adel Balala – Nyali Golf Club – 267.4 points

7. Njoroge Kibugu – Muthaiga Golf Club – 258 points

8. Michael Karanga – Kiambu Golf Club – 241.4 points

9. Christopher Andrea – Ruiru Sports Club – 228.3 points

10. Isaac Makokha – Vetlab Sports Club – 221.4 points