NCBA Bank Chairman Isaac Awuondo in action during the VetLab Sports Club leg of the NCBA Golf Series 2025.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

An impressive field of over 200 golfers is set to descend on Thika Sports Club this weekend for the eighth leg of the 2025 NCBA Golf Series. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

The golfers will take on the club’s challenging par-72 course, all competing for top honors and the coveted qualifying slots to the NCBA Golf Series Grand Finale later this year. Tee-off times are scheduled to start early, from 7:00 AM, promising a full day of competitive and vibrant golfing action.

Among the players to watch will be Isaack Charagu and Betty Nderu, familiar names to the club and to the Series. Both golfers emerged as Division One winners in the Men’s and Ladies’ categories, respectively, during last year’s edition and will be looking to build on their past success as they compete on their home course.

Founded in 1922, Thika Sports Club boasts a rich history, making it one of Kenya’s most iconic golfing venues. Over the decades, the club has built a reputation for its beautifully maintained fairways and its welcoming golfing community. It has also hosted prestigious tournaments such as the annual Winston Churchill Tournament, firmly establishing itself as a cornerstone of golf development in the region.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora said: “At NCBA, we believe in creating opportunities for growth and excellence, both on and off the golf course. The NCBA Golf Series is a reflection of this belief. We are proud to see how this series has grown into one of the most anticipated golf circuits in the country, providing a platform for golfers of all levels to showcase their talent, foster camaraderie, and develop the game we all love.
We look forward to another great weekend at Thika Sports Club.”

Thika Sports Club Captain Walter Njenga also shared his excitement ahead of the event, saying:

“It is always an honor to welcome golfers from across this region to Thika Sports Club. We are proud to be part of the NCBA Golf Series, a tournament that continues to inspire golfers and grow the game in Kenya. Our course is in fantastic condition, and we are looking forward to a competitive and enjoyable day of golf for everyone.”

This weekend’s event follows the Golf Park leg held last weekend, where Martin Muritu and William Aluku stole the show with standout performances. Both players posted an impressive 42 points, but it was Muritu, playing off handicap 11, who was crowned Overall Winner on countback, with Aluku (handicap 25) taking home the Men’s Winner title.

In a closely contested men’s division, Roy Shirekuli (handicap 21) finished as Men’s Runner-up, just one point shy with 41 points.

The Ladies’ category saw Nimra Devi (handicap 32) shine, claiming the Lady Winner title with a strong 36 points, ahead of Audrey Khaleji (handicap 27), who finished as the Runner-up on 31 points.

Mombasa Golf Club Team celebrate their triumph at the 100th edition of the Tanahill Shield tournament at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Mombasa Golf Club, sponsored by NCBA Bank, claimed their first-ever Tannahill Shield victory in the centennial edition of the prestigious Easter Golf Tournament, with a total gross of 48 points across four intense rounds of play. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Hosted at the scenic and historic Royal Nairobi Golf Club, a 119-year-old par-72 course, this year’s Tannahill Shield Easter Tournament marked its 100th anniversary from April 18 to April 20, 2025. It brought together nine elite teams, including Mombasa Golf Club, Muthaiga Golf Club, Kenya Railway Golf Club, Vet Lab Sports Club, Sigona Golf Club, Western Kenya team, Windsor Golf Club, Royal Nairobi Golf Club, and Limuru Country Club.

Mombasa Golf Club opened the tournament with a strong performance in Round 1, securing 12 points. The team continued its dominance with 15 points in Round 2, 10 points in Round 3, and sealed the win with another 11 points in Round 4, finishing with a tournament-best total of 48 points, a clear nine-point lead over their nearest rivals, Muthaiga Golf Club.

Their triumph was led by team captain Gurbux Singh and team manager Erick Nyongesa, with an impressive line-up of elite amateurs including Adel Balala, William Odeck, Sammy Mulama, Josphat Rono, Henry Kamau, Feisal Lasker, George Munyao, Charles Rob, and promising junior Nathan Ngweno. Balala and Odeck, both of whom made appearances at the 2025 Magical Kenya Open, were instrumental in delivering critical wins, while Mulama and Kamau brought their seasoned experience from the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series.

Mombasa Golf Club Team Captain George Mokaya expressed his pride in the team’s performance and thanked NCBA for their support towards the team over the past three years: “This win means the world to us, not just because it’s the 100th edition, but because of what it took to get here. Every player gave it their all, and this moment is a reflection of months of hard work, discipline, and the belief we’ve built within the team. We’re immensely grateful to NCBA for walking with us on this journey over the last three years, and this trophy is just as much theirs as it is ours.”

Muthaiga Golf Club delivered a steady campaign, finishing second overall with 39 points (5 in Round 1, 10 in Round 2, 11 in Round 3, and 13 in Round 4). A thrilling battle for third saw Kenya Railway Golf Club and Vet Lab Sports Club tie with 35 points each. Kenya Railways posted rounds of 7, 10, 13, and 5, while Vet Lab rallied from an early 13 to secure 3, 10, and 9 points in subsequent rounds.

Sigona Golf Club and Western Kenya were tied at 30 points, with Sigona showing consistency (7-4-9-10) and Western posting rounds of 7, 12, 5, and 6. Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club followed with 29 points, while defending champions Royal Nairobi Golf Club, despite home-course advantage, finished on position 8 overall with 26. Limuru Country Club rounded off the leaderboard with 16 points.

Earlier in the week, Mombasa Golf Club’s senior squad had set the tone, clinching the top spot in their category with gross scores of 239 in Round 1 and 238 in Round 2, for a cumulative 477 gross. Western Kenya followed closely with 480, and hosts Royal Nairobi came in at 481, underlining how fine the margins were at every level of competition.

Speaking at the event, NCBA Bank Corporate Banking Director Charles Omondi congratulated the Mombasa team and reiterated the bank’s long-term commitment to nurturing talent and driving impact in communities across Kenya:

“This victory by Mombasa Golf Club is a proud moment for us as NCBA. We believe in going beyond banking by investing in platforms that shape character, instill discipline, and bring people together. Golf embodies all these values that also align perfectly with our purpose. We are especially proud to have walked this journey with Mombasa Golf Club over the past years, and today’s result proves that great things happen when we grow together. As we mark the centenary of the Tannahill Shield, we hope that this win will inspire a new generation of golfers, not just in Mombasa, but across the country.”