NCBA Bank Chairman Isaac Awuondo in action during the VetLab Sports Club leg of the NCBA Golf Series 2025.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The 9-hole Malindi Golf & Country Club is set to host the third event of the 2025 NCBA Golf Series this Saturday, 8^th February, bringing together over 100 golfers from across the Coastal region to compete for top honors.

The tournament will see the golfers vie for the four available slots to participate in the NCBA Golf Series Grand Finale later in the year. They will include, the Overall Winner, Men Winner, Lady Winner, and the Junior Winner.

Speaking ahead of the Malindi event, Malindi Golf & Country Club Chairman, Benjamin Wasige expressed confidence about the tournament preparations and the expected turnout:

“We are delighted to once again welcome the NCBA Golf Series to Malindi Golf Club. Our course is in excellent condition, and we expect a strong field of participants, including both local golfers and visitors from across the region. We appreciate NCBA for their continued support of the sport and for bringing this series back to Malindi. Their commitment to golf has provided players with incredible opportunities to hone their skills and engage in high-level competition and we look forward to a fantastic day of competition,” he said.

NCBA Group Managing Director, John Gachora said: “We are delighted to bring the NCBA Golf Series to different parts of the country, reinforcing our commitment to the growth of the sport. Malindi marks the first event of the year to be held in the coastal region under the series, and we look forward to an exciting tournament that brings together both seasoned and upcoming golfers. This event is not just about competition; it is also about providing a platform for the golfing community to create meaningful connections, building friendships, and strengthening the golfing community in Kenya and beyond.”

This event follows the successful second leg of the NCBA Golf Series, held last week at Nandi Bears Golf Club which drew participation from over 150 golfers drawn from across the region, including those from Kakamega, Kericho, and Eldoret golf clubs.

Home player Martin Mengech (handicap 45) delivered a stellar performance, carding an impressive 46 points to win the Overall Winner. In the Men’s Category, Boaz Sugut, playing off handicap 21, took first place with 39 points, while Joyce Rotich (handicap 31) claimed victory in the Ladies’ Category, scoring an impressive 45 points.

Among the juniors, 14-year-old Protus Ambani shone brightly, delivering a strong performance with 33 points to win the Junior Category. The four golfers—Mengech, Sugut, Rotich, and Ambani— became the latest to qualify for the Grand Finale, where they will face off against other winners from the series for the championship title at the end of the year.

Kenya Golf President Philip Ochola drives a shot during the KCB East Africa Golf Tour
Launch at Royal Golf Club on January 23, 2025.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The 9-hole Mombasa Sports Club will play host to the second leg of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour on Saturday as 100 golfers flex their muscles in the eagerly awaited tourney.

Golfers will brave the lush green as early as 6:30 am for the morning tee action while the afternoon tee is scheduled to kick off at 12:30 pm. Top amateur golfers from Mombasa and its environs will take part in the competition.

Speaking about the event, Mombasa Sports Club Vice Captain George Mokaya said: “It is such an honor to be part of the KCB Golf series for the second year running. Last year, we had a successful tournament so we expect to replicate the same this year. We have many golfers who have already booked their slots for the weekend’s action. I am looking forward to a fruitful golf action.”

The top two teams from Saturday’s action will automatically book their places in the tour’s grand finale which is slated for December 5, 2025. The venue for this year’s grand finale will be announced ahead of the event.

Just like last year, the winning team will receive a KShs. 1 million cash reward that will go to a sustainability team that their club is currently undertaking. Additionally, they will get an opportunity to participate in a prestigious golf tournament.

“We firmly believe that we are playing a pivotal role in pushing the golf agenda. Our involvement in the sport is aimed at providing a platform for enthusiasts to enjoy themselves while also putting Kenya on the global map as a sporting nation. Mombasa has a growing fanbase of golf so it was a no-brainer for us to go back and host our tournament for the second consecutive time,” said KCB Group Director Marketing and Communications Rosalind Gichuru.

KCB’s efforts to expand the sport will see the bank host a juniors-only golf clinic on Sunday and a tree-planting exercise in a bid to strengthen environmental conservation initiatives through the golf series.

The next leg of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour will be held at the Nandi Bears Club on February 15, 2025.