John Kamais of Nakuru Golf Club celebrates after winning the 2024 Nyanza Open Hippo Pot.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Nakuru Golf Club’s John Kamais will return to Nyanza Golf Club this weekend, from Friday, October 10, through to Sunday, 12, aiming to defend the NCBA Nyanza Open – Hippo Pot title. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Last year, Kamais carded 9-over par 219 to finish ahead of John Lejirma (221), John Timbe (222), and John Koina (222) in a battle of Johns and will be hoping to replicate the same performance this weekend.

This year, a total of 42 golfers will take to the course hoping to get a share of the KES 400,000 prize purse, including the Ugandan duo of Joseph Kasozi, who finished fifth last year, and Titus Okwong.

Elvis Muigua, William Odek, and Isaac Makokha are some of the other names on the list for the Nyanza showdown.

Last weekend, David Kiragu put up a strong fight to emerge as the 2025 NCBA Tea Fields Trophy champion as the KAGC Series pitched camp in Kericho.

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.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora said: “We are happy to be at Nyanza this weekend for another important leg of the KAGC Series. Our commitment this year to supporting golf’s full cycle means that we get to support elite amateurs through this series. Apart from this, the NCBA Golf Series will continue this weekend with the Diamond Leisure Lodge Monthly Mug, and we will also be having a junior event at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club, all these are events within our broader golf umbrella.”

Elsewhere, more golfers will have a chance to book their slots for the NCBA Golf Series Grand Finale during the Diamond Leisure Lodge Monthly Mug on Saturday.

More than 100 golfers are expected to grace the course in Diani for the event that will see four more players join the long list of golfers who have already secured their tickets for Muthaiga.

Last weekend, Luther Kamau, Nancy Steinmann Nyambura Muigai, Stuart Scott, Doug McIntyre, and Prince Moreno emerged triumphant in different categories during the Great Rift Valley Lodge qualifying leg, earning themselves the coveted slots.

In addition, the sixth leg of the U.S. Kids Golf Nairobi Fall Tour will be held on Sunday at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club

The event, which is jointly organized by U.S. Kids Golf and the Junior Golf Foundation Kenya, is expected to attract over 100 junior golfers aged between 5 and 18 years, both boys and girls.

Vivo Energy Kenya Marketing Manager, Yvonne Achieng (left) with IMG Kenya CEO Peter Gacheru sign the sponsorship agreement.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

A strong field of 82 golfers from across Africa has been confirmed for the Johnnie Walker Classic, the sixth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, taking place from 13th to 15th October at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club. The event will also feature a Pro-Am tournament presented by Johnnie Walker on Saturday, October 11, ahead of the main championship. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

The Royal event has attracted top professional and elite amateur golfers drawn from Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Malawi, all vying for world ranking points and a share of the Ksh. 2 million prize purse.

It will feature 54 holes, with the top 30 players and ties making the cut after round two to compete in the final round on Wednesday, 15th October.

The event has received a major boost as leading fuel marketer Vivo Energy Kenya, the Shell licensee in the country has come on board as a sponsor for the Royal leg, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the growth and development of professional and elite amateur golf in Kenya.

Speaking during the announcement, Vivo Energy Kenya Marketing Manager, Yvonne Samantha Achieng, expressed the company’s pride in partnering with the Sunshine Development Tour, noting that the sponsorship aligns with the company’s broader vision of empowering communities through sport.

“We are delighted to support the development of professional and elite amateur golf in the country. This partnership reflects our strategic objectives of investing in sports that continue to shape Kenya’s reputation on the global stage,” said Ms. Yvonne Samantha Achieng.

She added: “We are looking forward to being part of the success story of Kenyan sports, and through this golf sponsorship, we hope to see more Kenyan and East African golfers excel in global tournaments such as the Magical Kenya Open and the Olympic Games.”

Vivo Energy Kenya Marketing Manager, Yvonne Achieng with IMG Kenya CEO Peter Gacheru at Royal Nairobi Club.

Peter Gacheru, IMG Kenya CEO, expressed optimism about the continued growth of the Tour:

“We are thrilled to have Vivo Energy Kenya join hands with us for the Royal tournament. Their support demonstrates growing corporate confidence in the Tour’s role in transforming regional golf. The East Africa Swing has transformed the landscape of professional golf in our region and we’re seeing stronger participation, better performance, and increasing global recognition through world ranking points. With the support of partners like Johnnie Walker and Vivo Energy Kenya, we’re not just growing a tournament, but we are also building a pathway for African golfers to the global stage.”

According to Tournament Director David Kihara, the course is in top shape and ready for play.

“Preparations are in top gear for the Royal leg. The course is in great condition, and we expect very competitive golf throughout the three days. We’re also delighted to see such a strong international field and vibrant local participation, which speaks to how far the Tour has come.”

The tournament field includes leading professionals such as Celestin Nsanzuwera from Rwanda, winner of the previous leg in Kigali; Kenya’s Njoroge Kibugu, Mutahi Kibugu, Dismas Indiza, David Wakhu, Greg Snow, Visitor Mapwanya (Zimbabwe), Olapade Sunday (Nigeria), and Phillip Kasozi (Uganda).

Among the women set to compete are Naom Wafula of Vipingo Ridge, Angel Eaton from Tanzania, Margaret Njoki (Kenya), Ashley Awuor (Kenya), Kellie Gachaga (Kenya), and Madina Hussein (Tanzania), continuing the Tour’s commitment to inclusivity and promoting women in golf.

The Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing provides a structured platform for professionals and elite amateurs to earn Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, alongside Sunshine Development Tour points, contributing to qualification opportunities for higher-tier tours such as the Sunshine Tour and Big Easy Tour in South Africa.