Luther Kamau in action at the Great Rift Valley Lodge on Saturday

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

David Kiragu put up a strong fight to emerge the 2025 NCBA Tea Fields Trophy champion on Sunday as the KAGC Series pitched camp in Kericho. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Kiragu scored 3-over-par 219 to finish ahead of Elly Barno and Elvis Muigua, who were tied on 6-over-par 222 as defending champion, Titus Okwong from Uganda, played four strokes more to finish on 10-over-par 226.

The Muthaiga Golf Club player carded 77 in the first round on Friday but played seven strokes less on Saturday to finish the second round 2-under-par 70. On Sunday, he managed to play even par to finish first and dethrone Okwong.

On his part, Barno played rounds of 75, 76, and 71 while Muigua carded 74, 75, and 73 across the three days.

Daniel Kiragu hoisted high after winning the NCBA Tea Fields Trophy

Next on the KAGC calendar is the Nyanza Open – Hippo Pot set to tee off this Friday, 10th October, through to Sunday 12th at the Nyanza Golf Club.

Elsewhere, Luther Kamau and Nancy Steinmann will lead the Great Rift Valley Lodge contingent to the 2025 NCBA Golf Series Grand Finale set for November 28th following their triumphs during the club’s qualifying leg on Saturday.

Kamau, playing off scratch, fired a standout round of 74 gross to secure the overall men’s gross crown at the par-71 course, while Steinmann posted a gross score of 94 to claim the top women’s gross honor.

“It was a good outing and I am happy with the score I posted. I look forward to an even better performance during the grand finale at the Muthaiga Golf Club next month,” an elated Kamau said.

Nyambura Muigai, Stuart Scott, Doug McIntyre, and Prince Moreno are the other members from the club who are set to feature at the main showdown at Muthaiga Golf Club next month.

Luther Kamau (l) awarded by NCBA Naivasha Branch Manager Frank Matheah

Nyambura (handicap 19) posted 30 points to win the ladies’ category as Scott’s (handicap 17) 32 points saw him win the men’s category. Mcintyre topped Division 3 with 35 points, playing off 28 with Moreno delivering an impressive 35 points off 19 to win the junior category.

The 2025 series is in its final stretch ahead of the grand finale showdown, with Muthaiga set to host the final major qualifying leg at the start of November before paving way for the finale showdown later in the month.

Diamond Leisure Lodge, Nyeri Golf Club, Nyahururu Golf Club, and Kericho Golf Club are set to host mini qualifiers in the form of club mugs, offering more opportunities for golfers to clinch their tickets.

Jean Okech, Head of Marketing, Spirits Portfolio at EABL presents a dummy cheque to Charles Gacheru, Promoter of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing.

By Daniella Apiyo and Amanda Damaris

East Africa Breweries Limited’s premium spirits brand, Johnnie Walker, has committed to support the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, taking up title naming rights for this sixth leg of the Tour which will be held at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club between October 13 and 15, 2025. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

The sponsorship comes at a time when the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing is gaining strong momentum, attracting golfers from across the continent and beyond and providing them with the chance to earn Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking points. This makes it one of the most important golf platforms ever created for East African players.

Johnnie Walker has a long history of supporting golf, having been part of events such as the Magical Kenya Open, the Magical Kenya Ladies Open, and the Johnnie Walker Golf Series.

Speaking while presenting the sponsorship, Jean Okech, Head of Marketing Spirits at EABL, said the brand was proud to back the Tour as it aligns with its wider objectives:

“Johnnie Walker has always found a natural home in golf because the sport attracts a community of like-minded individuals who appreciate craft, resilience, and progress, values that also define our brand. Through this sponsorship, we want to continue creating meaningful spaces where our consumers can interact with our brand, while also opening doors for talent across the region.

Importantly, we are also committed to inclusion and diversity, which is why we are proud to support the participation of women golfers in this Tour. We believe this partnership will inspire more aspiring golfers to take up the sport and encourage regional players to dream bigger.”

Njoroge Kibugu tees off at the Shunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing at Ruiru Sports Club.

On his part, Charles Gacheru, Promoter of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, welcomed the sponsorship, saying: “This support from Johnnie Walker is a major boost not just for the Tour but for golf in East Africa. It shows the confidence that a global brand has in our vision to build a pathway for local golfers to reach major events such as the Sunshine Tour and even the Olympics. With Johnnie Walker’s partnership, we are making golf more competitive, more inclusive, and more visible across the continent.”

The Royal Nairobi Golf Club event, taking place from 13th to 15th October 2025, will welcome a field of over 100 golfers from across Africa and beyond.

The tournament will be played over 54 holes, with a cut set for the top 30 and ties after round two. Players will be competing not only for the Two million shillings prize money but also for crucial global ranking points on the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, which count towards progression into larger global tournaments.

The Tour, which teed off in March 2025 with the Q-School, has already hosted successful events in Kenya’s Thika, Ruiru, Nyali, and Diani, as well as Rwanda’s Kigali Golf Resort & Villas. It continues to attract growing fields of both male and female, professional and elite amateur golfers from across Africa, making it a unique platform for talent development in the region.