Elvis Muigua poses for a photo with the Winston Churchill Cup tournament trophy at Thika Sports Club.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The 2024 NCBA Golf Park Open has teed off today at the Golf Park Golf Club and is set to run until Sunday, April 14th, 2024. 

This year, the tournament, now in its third edition boasts a strong field of 78 top amateur golfers from across the region. In adherence to the standards set by the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC), the initial roster of over 100 golfers has been trimmed to 78 participants to ensure a level playing field on the challenging 9-hole course.

In adherence to the guidelines set by the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC), the initial list of 100 golfers underwent a meticulous selection process to ensure a competitive yet fair environment on the challenging 9-hole course.

Among the top golfers expected to put up a strong performance in this year’s event include the likes of Elvis Muigua, the current leaderboard leader fresh from winning the Winston Churchill tournament last weekend, Adel Balala, John Lejirma, and the defending champion, Sammy Mulama.

In a testament to the growing diversity within the sport, the tournament features five top female golfers—Joyce Wanjiru, Nancy Wairimu, Margaret Njoki, Diana Mbuba, and Mercy Nyanchama.

Adding an international flair to the competition, Uganda’s Dominic Musoke and Abdalla Kakooza will be representing their country on the greens, hoping to secure the top honors.

“We are delighted to host this year’s edition of the Golf Park Open. We have prepared meticulously for an unforgettable tournament experience. I would also like to express our gratitude to NCBA Bank for their unwavering support as the title sponsor of this event and we invite golfers to join us for three days of exciting competition,” said Kenneth Lucas Gold Park Captain.

Sponsored by NCBA Bank as title sponsors, the event boasts an impressive prize kitty of Ksh. 500,000, which will be distributed among the top 20 golfers, adding an extra layer of excitement and incentive for participants.

Beyond the excitement of the competition, the NCBA Golf Park Open holds significance in both the Kenya Amateur Golf Ranking and the World Amateur Golf Ranking, providing participants with a valuable opportunity to elevate their standings within the global golfing community.

KCB Director Corporate Banking John Okulo in action during the second leg of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour at Eldoret Golf Club on February 24, 204.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

A huge field of over 200 players is expected to grace par 72 Kakamega Golf Club on Saturday, during the third leg of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour at the luscious course.

Action is expected to tee off at 6:30 am as the large field, which includes members from the Kakamega Golf Club and guest players from around the country, battle to join the winning teams from Mombasa, and Eldoret in the tour’s grand finale slated for December 6.

Speaking ahead of the regional tourney, Kakamega Golf Club Captain James Anzabwa said: “Kakamega is proud to be associated with the KCB East Africa Golf Tour for the second year running. This weekend will be a competitive showpiece as we expect top amateur players to participate in the tournament. I can assure them that the greens are okay, and the fairways are wide enough.”

So far, the tournament has reached over 300 participants in total from the previous opening legs in Mombasa, and Eldoret Golf Clubs. This year the tour is expected to feature 3000 golfers, 1000 juniors and 500 ladies.

“Our aim is to expand this sport and improve it to an elite level so that we can have players with the skills set to participate in local, regional, and international competitions. Kakamega has become a fortress in golf therefore we cannot afford to omit them in our calendar. We look forward to crowning the winners who will take part in the grand finale,” noted KCB Group Director Marketing and Communications Rosalind Gichuru.

The Bank has partnered with Beulah City Ltd, a property firm, who have committed to give an apartment (in the Ikhaya Beulah Genesis project) valued at KShs.2.1 million as the hole in one prize for every leg of the 2024 tour.

In addition to the amateur series, the third leg tournament will see a golf clinic hosted on Sunday which will target junior golfers.

Over the past decade, KCB has spent over KShs. 400 million in golf sponsorships with a robust aim of building the sport to an elite level and to create a pool of talent that can compete in local, and regional tournaments.