Golfer Maara rules the roost at Royal Nairobi
By Barry.Silah, June 20, 2022
Dennis Maara of Limuru Golf and Country Club has become the first player to earn a spot at next year’s Magical Kenya Open Championships.
This follows his breath taking 7-6 win over home player Jay Sandhu during the final day of the Kenya Amateur Match Play Championship held at Royal Nairobi Golf Club on Sunday.
Four day event
The four-day event that attracted 88 amateur players from different countries, was especially exciting with the four finalists going neck and neck until the last day when Sandhu faced off with Maara, eventually getting the dominant win with six holes to spare. Maara hit a birdie on hole 12 to end Sandhu’s frustrating afternoon.
Following this feat, Maara will take a second shot at the Magical Kenya Open hoping to improve on this year’s performance after failing to make the cut in his debut event. It was a 36-hole match-up with Maara going 5 Up in the first 18 holes to keep any threat from Sandhu at bay. The father of two had brilliant putting on Sunday as his play on the greens was his biggest asset and he ensured he executed his shots with precision even under pressure.
In the second 18, Maara was also resolute and ruthless as he took the lead in the next three holes to take his lead to 8 Up in 21 holes as Sandhu faltered with some of his shots. Sandhu never gave up in the dying moments and put up a spirited challenge which Maara ably dealt with.
Maara,who spoke during the prize giving was overjoyed with his achievement promising to improve in the Magical Kenya Open event next year.
“I feel like my golf has improved tremendously and I am proud of myself. I prepared very well for this championship. I am so glad my killer instinct just came at the right moment. My putting and short game were on point so that is something to be happy about.
To be the number one Amateur in the country is huge and I will try to defend my title even as I look forward to the Kenya Open Championships. I want to thank my team, my competitors for pushing me and also my club for the support,” said the 844th World Amateur Golf-ranked player.