Kenya Amateur Stroke-play champion, Adel Balala has moved his training to South Africa ahead of the 2022 Magical Kenya Open Golf Championships planned for March at the Karen Country and Golf Country.
The Nyali golfer was leading the Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) series before heading to South Africa. He was, however, overtaken by Kiambu’s Michael Karanga who placed second at the Manchester Salver in Eldoret over the weekend.
Balala will compete in two tournaments in South Africa, starting with Central Gauteng Open this weekend and Bobby Locke Invitational a week later.
He said he will use the South Africa tour as part of his training ahead of Magical Kenya Open after qualifying automatically two weeks ago in Nakuru.
“I am hoping to register good results at the two tournaments as I prepare for the Kenya Open. South Africa has good training grounds,” said Balala.
He added: “I hope to test my game against the best in Africa. South Africa provides the best competition environment in Africa and this will go along way in boosting my game ahead of the Kenya Open."
On his way to victory in Nakuru, Balala maintained the lead in the 72 hole four round tournament, where he started with four under par 66 and fired -1 72 in the remaining three rounds to complete with six under par 285 to lead Karanga with three shots.
Balala, who joined the amateur series this year, also won the Winston Churchill tournament at the Thika Sports Club, Trans Nzoia Open in Kitale and Kabete Open at the Vet Lab Sports Club.
