A golfer follows his tee shot at the Karen Country Club leg of the NCBA Golf Series.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Kakamega Golf Club will this weekend play host to the ongoing NCBA Golf Series. This will be the fifteenth event in the tournament that kicked-off in January this year.

Action at the par-72 Kakamega Golf Club tees-off early in the morning with the first group taking to the tee at 7a.m.

Over 100 golfers are expected to take to the course with the aim of booking a spot in the grand finale which will be held at the Karen Country Club in December. So far, 65 players from previous tournaments have qualified for the ultimate tournament with 1900 golfers having featured in the series.

The tournament will coincide with the NCBA bank’s planned branch opening in Kakamega town as part of the Group’s expansion strategy. The Group has in 2021 opened six new branches across the country and intends to open nine additional branches by the end of the year.

Speaking ahead of the event, John Gachora, Group Managing Director, NCBA Group noted: “We are delighted to be taking this series to the western region. So far, the series has produced 14 overall winners. As a bank, golf provides us with an opportunity to understand our customer needs and preferences. We look forward to the tournament as it will also provide us an opportunity to meet existing and potential customers in Kakamega as we celebrate our branch opening.”

So far, NCBA Series has been held in Thika, VetLab, Kitale, Sigona, Nyali, Mombasa, Nyeri, Nanyuki, Kiambu, Nakuru, Machakos, Limuru and Karen with the latter hosting the series’ first of the two junior golf events.

Top winners from the junior NCBA tournament qualified to play at the Rome Classic in October this year and the Big 5 tournament to be held in South Africa next year.

Junior golfers have a good showing in the running Golf series; most recently the youngest overall junior golfer – Mumbi Gatu, carded an impressive round of 49 points to emerge the overall winner at the Limuru Country Club this past weekend.

Tyrrell Hatton of England tees off during the 2nd round of The Open 2021 golf championship at Royal St George’s golf course in Sandwich, Kent, Britain, 16 July 2021. EPA/NEIL HALL

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

SuperSport viewers on DStv can look forward to seeing all the action from the BMW PGA Championship at the Wentworth West Course in Surrey, England from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 September 2021.

SuperSport is the ultimate destination for Golf fans, with an unparalleled selection of action from around the world.

Reigning champion Tyrrell Hatton will return to defend his BMW PGA Championship title when the Ryder Cup star leads a host of home hopefuls aiming to make it three English victories in a row at this event.

Last year, Hatton claimed his first BMW PGA Championship title and his fourth Rolex Series victory, courtesy of a dominant four-stroke victory (ahead of runner-up Victor Perez of France) at Wentworth. He climbed into the top ten of the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in his career in the process.

“I am really excited about returning to defend my BMW PGA Championship title,” said Hatton. “To have the fans back at Wentworth is going to be pretty incredible and I’m sure they will create a memorable atmosphere.

“I was over the moon to put my name on the BMW PGA Championship trophy last October as this tournament has meant so much to me down the years. Defending that title in front of the home fans will be an extra special experience.”

Danny Willett of England hits from a bunker during the first round of the Omega European Masters Golf Tournament in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, 26 August 2021. EPA/PETER KLAUNZER

Hatton will be joined at the prestigious Wentworth Club by his fellow 2018 Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose, as well as the 2020 Race to Dubai Champion Lee Westwood and Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter.

The 2019 BMW PGA Championship winner and 2016 Masters Tournament champion Danny Willett will also tee it up on the West Course, as will World Number 23 Matt Fitzpatrick and four-time European Tour winner Matt Wallace.

The event will be key for European players hoping to sharpen up their skills before the high-profile Ryder Cup, which will be held at the Whistling Straights Golf Course in Haven, Wisconsin, United States from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 September 2021.

European team captain Padraig Harrington will be keeping a keen eye on the players he hopes will take them to a successful title defence. “There is a little sense of running out of time… I don’t know if that is a good or a bad thing to be running out of time,” said the Irishman. “Pretty much everything is in order, in line so it is just a few last things that have to be put together.”

The Wentworth West is a 7,302 yard par 72 course. The purse for the BMW PGA Championship is $8million.

No rival can compete with SuperSport’s coverage. Our viewers on DStv can see all their favourite golf stars dominating courses across the world. Visit www.dstv.com to subscribe or upgrade, and join in on the excitement. And while you’re on the move, you can stream matches on the DStv App.

BMW PGA Championship broadcast details

All times CAT

Thursday 9 September

12:00: Day 1 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf

Friday 10 September

12:00: Day 2 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf

Saturday 11 September

12:00: Day 3 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf

Sunday 12 September

12:00: Day 4 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf