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On-form Lejirmah extends KAGC lead
John Lejirmah in action during the Sunshine Development Tour Q-School at Great Rift Golf Resort, Naivasha on March 31, 2025.
What you need to know:
- He carded rounds of 69, 72, and 73 for a total of five-under-par 214 to deny series defending champion Michael Karanga of Ndumberi back-to-back titles.
- “It feels great. Winning back to back is never easy, and I am so grateful for the consistency, focus, and the support around me to keep on improving,” said Lejirmah, who edged out Kiambu’s Joyce Njuguini, Kenya’s leading lady golfer, by two shots.
Royal Nairobi Golf Club’s John Lejirmah maintained his control on the 2025 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series.
Fresh off a hat-trick win in the Ronald Marshall and Toby Gibson Trophy at Njoro Country Club—where he beat Golf Park’s Amos Odongo 4-3 in the final on May 25 —Lejirmah, who also captains the national team, was on fire again this past weekend after winning the Coronation Trophy title at the par-73 Nakuru Golf Club.
He carded rounds of 69, 72, and 73 for a total of five-under-par 214 to deny series defending champion Michael Karanga of Ndumberi back-to-back titles.
“It feels great. Winning back to back is never easy, and I am so grateful for the consistency, focus, and the support around me to keep on improving,” said Lejirmah, who edged out Kiambu’s Joyce Njuguini, Kenya’s leading lady golfer, by two shots.
Lejirmah has now claimed four titles in the 2025 KAGC series and has set his sights on reclaiming the coveted KAGC Order of Merit title at the end of the season. He won in 2022, while Karanga triumphed in 2023 and 2024.
Meanwhile, Njuguini, who had just picked up a win at the Nyahururu Ladies Open, fired rounds of 76, 71, and 69 for a three-under-par total of 216—one shot ahead of Karanga. “I would like to try and play well in the next week,” she said.
This year’s Coronation Trophy—one of Kenya’s oldest national events—was supported not only by the KAGC title sponsors NCBA Bank, but also by Liberty Cancer and Wellness Centre, ICEA LION Group, Stima Sacco, and Wachira Wekhomba Aim and Associates Advocates.
Covid pandemic
At Nyali Golf and Country Club, Shem Aboge—who only began playing golf in 2021—celebrated his maiden victory during the Sunset Golfing Society Coast edition. The tournament drew a field of 228 players despite a chilly morning brought on by ongoing rains in Mombasa.
“I am so delighted winning my first major event since I started playing golf after the Covid pandemic. I have been working hard on my game, though I’ve only been playing once a week,” said Aboge, who credited his strong performance to the Friday curtain-raiser at Mombasa Golf Club where he shot a gross 93.
“The score at Mombasa really motivated me to play better today, and I am so happy with my gross score of 91 which translated to 40 points,” he added.
Aboge edged out Nyali Captain Omar Lewa, who also posted 40 points playing off a handicap of nine. Lewa, however, took home the top prize in the Sunset members category, beating Mombasa Golf Club Chairman Lawrence Odhiambo by a single point.
Bill Ouko finished third with 37 points. Leading Nyali members was Eliud Bett with 40 points, two ahead of Dan Mugambi and former Royal Nairobi Golf Club Chairman Charles Kariuki, who both posted 38.
Among the ladies, Elizabeth Akinyi from Nyanza led the Sunset group with 39 points, just ahead of Constance Achilla on 38. Mary Kandu, a single-figure handicapper, topped the Nyali ladies’ leaderboard with 36 points, edging out Terry Odoo on countback. Naomi Kikulu was the best guest player with 39 points.
During the Mombasa Golf Club curtain-raiser, David Mbugua carded 41 points to win by one point over Martin Irungu, Ken Mwangi, and Arbanus Kimenye, who all had 40 points. Virginia Flora led the ladies with 39 points, followed by Gladys Mueni (38) and Caroline Mokaya (37).
The Sunset Golfing Society series opener was supported by SGA Kenya, Liberty, Heritage Insurance, Marble Seaview, and members of the Sunset.
“We are honoured to be part of this fantastic tournament as one of the sponsors at this beautiful golf club. We look forward to many more opportunities to support such events that blend excellence,” said Justus Kenyoru, Country Head of Finance at SGA Kenya.
“SGA takes pride in supporting events that bring people together, and we will definitely support upcoming events in Nairobi and across the country.”