Handover of the KGU Shield to the new chairman David Ngugi

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Golfers across the country at the weekend elected new officials to spearhead the Kenya Golf Union (KGU), their umbrella body for the next couple of years.

The exercise that was held at the Muthaiga Golf Club saw the ushering in of new faces tasked to steer the sport to the next level.

The Board will now be chaired by David Ndungu from Limuru Golf Club and deputized by Thika Sports Club’s Chris Kinuthia, following the elections. Ndungu is replacing Phillip Ocholla whose term came to an end.

“As the new chairman of KGU, my commitment is to ensure that the Union continues to play its role in making one-golf a reality. We aim to build on proper and solid foundations that will serve the sport for years to come. We are all on the same side, and we all want the same outcome. Having different approaches to how that outcome is achieved doesn’t make us adversaries; it makes us teammates and it just means we are human,” said Ndungu.

The hotly contested elections served as a big shake-up for the union, with newcomers putting up a strong fight to unsettle incumbents.

The biggest surprise was the entry of Peter Mwaura, a former Captain and Chairman at Ruiru Sports Club. He clinched 73 votes out of the 95 who voted, coming second after Mombasa Golf Club’s James Gitonga who was serving KGU as the representative for the Coast Region.

Mwaura, who is in charge of Communications at KCB Group has been a regular feature in golf leadership for the past eight years, having served his Club in several capacities.

The elections saw three sitting KGU officials sent home- former ICT Principal Secretary Sammy Itemere (Royal Nairobi), Ndiga Kithae (Thika Greens), and Francis Wambua (Golf Park).

Windsor’s Karugu Macharia will serve as the Union’s Treasurer while the Secretary will be Brian Akun from Vet Lab Golf Club after he beat Wambua to the position, garnering 55 votes against Wambua’s 39.

The other KGU Executives elected were Jonathan Marucha (Railways Golf Club Chairman), Robert Ngugi (Muthaiga), Weldon Mutai (Sigona), and Liban Roba from Karen Country Club.

“The Kenya Golf Union congratulates all the elected officials and extends heartfelt gratitude to all members who participated in the election process. Their dedication and active involvement are crucial in fostering a vibrant and thriving golf community in Kenya,” read a statement from the union.

It went ahead: “The Kenya Golf Union looks forward to a prosperous term under the new leadership and anticipates significant strides in the development of golf in Kenya.”

The newly elected officials are:

Chairman: David Ndungu

Vice Chairman: Chris Kinuthia

Hon. Treasurer: Karugu Macharia

Hon. Secretary: Brian Akun

The KGU Executives include:

•            James Gitonga: 75 votes

•            Peter Mwaura: 73 votes

•            Jonathan Marucha: 70 votes

•            Robert Ngugi: 62 votes

•            Weldon Mutai: 49 votes

•            Liban Roba: 49 votes

Amon Ngechu (left), NCBA Head of Engineering Digital Business presents an award to Isaac Matubia Men’s Division One winner of the NCBA Golf Series at Muthaiga

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Isaac Matubi showcased exceptional golfing skills at the Muthaiga Golf Club leg of the 2024 NCBA Golf Series over the weekend, securing victory in the Division One category with an impressive 36 Stableford points.

Matubi, playing off handicap 10, outshone his competitors in the highly competitive division that featured golfers with handicaps of up to 12. Junaid Manji, a handicap 2 golfer, closely followed in second place with 35 points.

Reflecting on his win, Matubi said, “The course at Muthaiga is always challenging, but today I felt very confident with my game. Maintaining focus and composure throughout the round was key, and I am happy to have come out on top in such a competitive field.”

The tournament, which marked the sixth edition of the series, attracted over 200 amateur golfers who vied for top honors.

The Division Two Category, for golfers with handicaps between 13 and 24, saw Yogendra Nandha clinch the men’s title. In the ladies’ division, Sajni Shah, playing off handicap 21, delivered an outstanding performance, carding a total of 40 Stableford points to claim victory.

In Division Three, which features golfers with handicaps of 24 and above, Rebecca Juma emerged as the champion. Playing off a handicap of 32, Juma carded a round of 33, narrowly beating Dennis Mugambi after a countback.

Among the other notable results, Alvin Kaisha, playing off handicap 15, stood out as the Junior winner, impressively carding 35 points.

At the same time, Jacob Ochieng claimed victory in the Guest category with 34 points, while Paul Jakaa emerged as the Staff winner with 33 points.

Speaking on the success of the event, Nelly Wainaina, NCBA Group Director for Marketing, Communications, and Citizenship, said; “The turnout and enthusiasm at Muthaiga Golf Club have been phenomenal. The NCBA Golf Series is not just about competition; it’s about bringing people together and fostering a love for the sport. We are committed to supporting the growth of golf in Kenya and providing a platform for both seasoned golfers and rising stars to showcase their talents. The success of this event reaffirms our dedication to these goals.”

“The NCBA Golf Series continues to be a platform that celebrates talent and fosters a spirit of competition and community among golf enthusiasts. We are proud to witness such remarkable performances and look forward to the continued success of the series,” he added.

The top performers of the Muthaiga leg have now secured their slots at the Series 2024 Grand Finale. They include the Division 1 Male and Female Winners, Division 2 Male and Female Winners, the Overall Winner of Division 3, and the top performer in the Junior category.