By Philip Orwa
The well-attended ProAm played on Saturday, known as the Betika Masters, has attracted 88 professional and elite amateur golfers from Kenya, Uganda, Rwand a, Tanzania, Malawi, India and the United States, that will for the next three days the golfers will play for a share of the Sh2 Million prize purse, as well as Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, and Safari Tour ranking points which count toward qualification for the 2026 Magical Kenya Open on the DP World Tour.
The tournament follows a lively ProAm held on yesterday, November 8, where more than 200 golfers took to the course for an exciting curtain-raiser.
Pro Justus Madoya led the winning team of the day, l guiding amateurs Antony Wangari, Dan Odongo, and Robert Mureithi to the top spot with a total on 85 points.
Finishing closely behind was the runner-up team comprising pro Ross Valentine and amateurs Victory Waiyaki, Kimani Njane, and Emmanuel Sanke, who matched the winning team’s score but lost on countback.
The third-best score was recorded by the group of professional Dennis Saikwa, who played with amateurs Ngugi Waweru, Aman Degon, and Nick Weru, closing on 84 points.
In the individual categories, Ngugi Waweru, playing off handicap18, delivered one of the standout amateur performances of the day, scoring 41 points to claim the Overall Amateur Winner title.
Among the men, Samuel Gitonga (handicap 35) finished as the Men’s Winner with 41 points, while handicap 27 Kiragu Kimani followed closely with 40 points to claim the runner-up slot.
In the ladies’ category, Grace Kihiu, playing off handicap 28 emerged the winner with 33 points, beating Catherine Mugane (handicap 32) who managed 29 points.
The guest category was topped by William Kimondo, who scored 41 points. The day’s longest drive contests were won by John Lejirma in the men’s category and Grace Kimeria among the ladies, while the nearest-to-the-pin award went to Godwin Karuga.
The first nine was won by Waithaka Ndungu with 23 points, and the second nine by Antony Wangari with 21.
The main tournament field features all winners of previous Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing events, including three-time champion Njoroge Kibugu, John Lejirma, Dismas Indiza, and Rwanda’s two-time winner Celestin Nsanzuwera. Other Kenyan professionals in the draw include Greg Snow, Edwin Mudanyi, Jastas Madoya, John Wangai and Mike Kisia.
Speaking ahead of today’s opening round, IMG Kenya CEO Peter Gacheru emphasized the importance of the Betika Masters in the context of competitive golf in the region.
“As we tee off the main event, we are excited to see such strong representation from across Africa and beyond. The Betika Masters continues the momentum of this Tour, raising the standard of golf and creating pathways for our athletes to advance to the Sunshine Tour and global circuits.”
The top 30 players and ties after Round Two will progress to the final round on Tuesday, where the Betika Masters champion will be crowned.
