Sarah Nyareru (C), receives her award from NCBA Group Chairman James Ndegwa (l) and NCBA Group MD John Gachora (r) during the 2024 NCBA Golf Series at Muthaiga Golf Club.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Sarah Nyareru delivered an exceptional performance to claim the title of Overall Winner at the 2024 NCBA Golf Series Grand Finale, held at the 18-hole Muthaiga Golf Club. Playing off a handicap of 12, the Karen Country Club golfer recorded an impressive 37 Stableford points to emerge as the top golfer, flooring a strong field of 230 golfers from across East Africa.

This event marked a conclusion to the 2024 NCBA Golf Series that spanned 34 tournaments across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, bringing together over 3,000 golfers.

Speaking after her win, Nyareru expressed her gratitude, saying, “It’s been an incredible journey competing in the NCBA Golf Series this year. Winning the Grand Finale is a dream come true, and I am grateful for the opportunity to compete alongside such talented golfers.”

In the men’s Division One category, John Mburu, playing off a handicap of 6, claimed the winner’s spot with 35 Stableford points, edging out Henry Kamau, who finished as runner-up with 34 points. Emma Pennington, playing off handicap 11, also put in a commendable effort to emerge as the winner in the ladies’ Division One category with 34 points.

NCBA Group MD John Gachora in action during the NCBA Golf Series 2024 at Muthaiga Golf Club on November 29, 2024.

For their exploits, the top three winners – Overall winner, Men Division One Winner and Lady Division One winner each bagged an NCBA Unit Trust worth KES 120,000.

Adding to the excitement of the day, golfers competed for a chance to win a brand-new Toyota FJ Cruiser, courtesy of Khushi Motors, for achieving a hole-in-one on the 13th hole of the par-71 course, although no golfer managed to achieve the feat.

In Division Two, which featured golfers with handicaps 12-24, Mary Karano, playing off a handicap of 13, took the top spot in the ladies’ category with an impressive 38 points while Simon Mathenge, playing off handicap 19, secured victory among the men after finishing his round with 35 points.

In Division Three. featuring golfers with handicap 25 and above, Elijah Simba delivered an extraordinary performance, recording 49 Stableford points to clinch the title.

The juniors also shone brightly, with 13-year-old Pendo Kanaiza, playing off a handicap of 33, securing the junior category win with an outstanding 38 points.

Special categories saw Olive Njagi, playing off handicap 17, emerge as the Guest Winner with an impressive 42 points, while NCBA Group Retail Banking Director Tirus Mwithiga, playing off handicap 17, took home the staff category prize with 36 points.

The Grand Finale capped a highly successful season of the NCBA Golf Series, which achieved a significant milestone by expanding into Rwanda, completing its regional footprint in East Africa alongside Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora, speaking during the prize-giving ceremony, said: “The NCBA Golf Series is more than just a tournament; it is a celebration of talent, community, and the enduring spirit of golf. We are proud to have hosted over 3,000 golfers this year and to have extended the Series to four East African countries. Congratulations to all the winners for their remarkable achievements, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this journey possible.”

He added, “At NCBA, we believe in the transformative power of golf—not just as a game but as a platform for building relationships, developing talent, and driving positive change. We are committed to supporting this sport and the communities it serves, and we look forward to an even brighter future for golf in East Africa.”

As part of its Change the Story sustainability platform, NCBA also reinforced its commitment to environmental stewardship by donating indigenous tree seedlings to Muthaiga Golf Club, contributing to the bank’s ambitious goal of planting 10 million trees by 2030.

Lifestyle Estates Head of Sales, Rawlings Omwansa (left) presents the overall prize to Patrick Gakure (center) the winner of Kiambu Golf Club Captain (Caesar Mugo) right, November 9, 2024.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Home golfer Patrick Gakure was all smiles after claiming the 2024 Captain Caesar Mugo prize at the nine-hole Kiambu Golf Club layout over the weekend.

The go-lucky Gakure returned an aggregate score of 71 points to outshine the 312 golfers who graced the two-day meet.

The weeklong tournament was sponsored by Britam, Lifestyle Estates, Bustani, Grayson, Omega Opticians, Max Healthcare and Medipoint.

Others were, NCBA, Windsor Motors, Eabl, NB, Radar Security, and Friends of the Captain among others. 

Friday’s winner, Njogu wa Njoroge, emerged as the overall second winner to close with 70 aggregate points.

Gakure’s pursuit of greatness was spurred by superb drives off the deck with 90% fairway hits, getting onto the greens on regulation, single or two

putts, picking four pars, nine bogeys, and three double-bogeys to secure the win.

“My strength was in my tee shots that were straight and quite long. I managed to sink difficult putts without a fuss,” said Gakure.

The overall lady winner prize was won by former Kenya One, Wanjiru Karume, with an aggregate score of 70 points.

On Saturday, Leonard Mwangi, playing off handicap 21, was declared the Men winner with a score of 39 stableford points.

Handicap 18, Peter Njuguna, was the Men winner with 38 stableford points, followed by Senior Captain Mike Nyangi, who posted 35 stableford points.

The Captain of St Andrews-Ndumberi Golf Club, Steve Kiaro, who doubled up as the Captain’s horse, won the Gross prize with 74 points.

On a score of 35 stableford points, Jackie Gathondeki triumphed as the Lady winner, beating the eventual Lady winner second, Joyce Wanjiru, by a single point at 34 stableford points. Karume was the lady winner third with a similar score of 34 stableford points.

Francis Kungu topped in the Subsidiary category with 33 stableford points. In second place was Joseph Mwariri with 32 stableford points.

The Guest Men winner prize was won by MK Njuguna, playing off handicap 8, with a score of 37 stableford points. Winning the Guest Lady’s prize was Jessica Kimathi, with a score of 28 stableford points.

Leading the Sponsors was Paul Waweru as the Corporate winner with 32 stableford points. Davies Mukuria came in second with 31 stableford points.

Among the Friends of the Captain, O Gathara won with 34 stableford points, playing off handicap 12, beating Patrick Ngari on countback to Friends of the Captain second.

In the Nines Men’s category were the First Nine Men winner, Professor GN Manguria, with 21 stableford points, and JN Ikonya won the Second Nine Men winner prize with 20 stableford points.

The First Nine Lady winner prize was won by Carol Maina, with 17 stableford points. Jane Waweru won the Second Nine prize with 20 stableford points.

Mike Ngene won the Longest Drive Men prize, while Joyce Wanjiru won in the ladies’ division.

Senior Dr Paul Murumba and Joyce Wanjiru, were Nearest to Pin Men and Lady prize winners, respectively.

Handicap 16, GG Waburi won the Former Captain’s prize with 34 stableford points.

Only two two-clubs were recorded by elite golfer Michael Karanga and Dr Murumba, each winning 30 golf balls.