Winners group photo

By KGG CORRESPONDENT

Simon Seungmin Lee from the Republic of Korea and Germany’s Jennifer Sräga enjoyed memorable first victories at The G4D Open after a tense final day at Celtic Manor Resort. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.
Both the men’s and women’s championships provided drama to the final hole in Wales before Lee and Sräga narrowly prevailed over the Roman Road Course.
Lee, number two on the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD), savoured success on his debut at The G4D Open, closing with a one-over-par 71 for a winning total of three-over 213 for the 54 holes. The 28-year-old held his nerve for a par down the last to edge out overnight leader, Issa Nlareb A Amang from Cameroon, by a shot.
Sräga, 26, denied Daphne van Houten from the Netherlands a hat-trick of titles after also making a crucial par on the 18^th to triumph by a stroke on a winning total of 246.

The G4D Open, staged in partnership with The R&A and the DP World Tour and supported by EDGA, was held at Celtic Manor for the first time after three previous editions at Woburn. The Championship is one of the most inclusive ever held, with the world’s most talented golfers with disabilities displaying their skills.
Lee, who is autistic, added to his titles after triumphing at the US Adaptive Open in 2022. He also won the 2025 ISPS HANDA Australian All Abilities Championship and the Glico Paragolf Championship in Japan for three straight years.
Nlareb A Amang pulled to within a stroke of Lee after a brilliant 40-yard chip-in for eagle at the par-4 17^th with his 9-iron, but he struggled in the cold conditions throughout the final day and racked up 40 putts in his closing 73.
The 35-year-old was a professional player when, in 2018, bacterial meningitis led to a double leg amputation and severely damaged hands. The world number seven has since fought back to health and last month won the EDGA Tour Pas de Calais in France before also making his G4D Open debut.

Defending men’s champion Brendan Lawlor ignited his hopes of a third title thanks to a stunning run of birdies which took him to the turn in four-under 33 – the best front nine of the week – and into second place. But the Irishman’s hopes unravelled after dropping six shots from the 12^th and he had to settle for a tie for fifth place on 11-over. Lachlan Wood from Australia was third on nine-over, with world number one Kipp Popert finishing in a share of seventh.
In the women’s event, Sräga and van Houten, 27, fought out a tight tussle over the final 18 holes with the German finally coming out on top.

Sräga, who came second in the women’s overall Championship last year on her debut, finished with a vital closing par while her rival made double bogey. Born with achondroplasia, commonly called short stature, Sräga’s two birdies on the front nine also proved key. Van Houten, who struggled with tiredness, was a shot further back with Denmark’s Mette Wegge Lynggaard in third place on 252.
The G4D Open featured nine sport classes across multiple impairment groups, with 80 men and women players of both amateur and professional status, aged 16-70, representing 25 countries. Nineteen players made their Championship debut, including Celtic Manor member Richie Willis.

A gross prize was also awarded in each sport class, covering various categories in Standing, Intellectual, Visual and Sitting.

NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora during the NCBA Golf Series at Limuru Country Club

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Francis Kimani and Jackie Sirat emerged as the top winners at the Limuru Country Club leg of the 2026 NCBA Golf Series held on Saturday, as golfers continued the race for qualification to the Grand Finale scheduled for November at Karen Country Club. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

The event attracted a strong field of 249 golfers drawn from Limuru and various clubs across the country, with players competing in different categories during one of the most anticipated legs of the series so far.

Playing off handicap one, Francis Kimani carded an impressive 72 gross to clinch the Overall Men Winner title after a composed round on the challenging Limuru course.

Francis Kimani expressed delight after his victory: “It feels great to come out on top in such a competitive field. Limuru is always a challenging course, so staying focused and consistent throughout the round was very important for me. I’m happy with how I played and excited to have secured qualification to the Grand Finale,” he said.

In the ladies’ category, Jackie Sirat, playing off handicap 11, returned 90 gross to emerge Overall Lady Winner.

Speaking after the event, Sirat said: “The competition today was very good and the course was in great condition. I am very happy with my performance and grateful for the opportunity to compete in the NCBA Golf Series. Qualifying for the Grand Finale is very exciting, and I look forward to the next challenge,” she said.

Francis Kimani, the Overall Men Winner (L) of the NCBA Golf Series Limuru Country Club leg receives his award from NCBA Limuru Branch Manager James Mburu

Joseph Ikanyi, playing off handicap two, finished as the Men’s Runner-Up after carding 74 gross, while Julius Ngonga took third place with 78 gross. JN Kihanya completed the top four positions after returning 80 gross.

In the junior category, Hakeem Mutungi impressed with 81 gross to emerge winner, underlining the growing strength of junior golf within the series.

The Division Two Men title was claimed by K Mukuria after returning an excellent 39 points, while Patricia Naina emerged winner in the ladies’ category with 33 points.

In Division Three, Samuel Gitau playing off handicap 50 returned 39 points to take top honours.

Speaking during the prize-giving ceremony, NCBA Limuru Branch Manager James Maina praised the level of competition witnessed during the event and reaffirmed NCBA’s commitment to supporting golf across the country.

“The NCBA Golf Series continues to grow from strength to strength, and today’s turnout and level of competition here at Limuru Country Club is a strong reflection of that progress. Beyond the golf, this series is about bringing communities together, building relationships, and creating opportunities for players across different levels of the game. At NCBA, we are proud to continue supporting platforms that help grow the sport while strengthening the spirit of togetherness guided by our Ubuntu philosophy,” he said.

The Limuru event adds to the growing momentum of the 2026 NCBA Golf Series, which continues to travel across the country bringing together golfers, supporting clubs, and nurturing talent at different levels of the game.