William Odek hoisted high by clubmates after winning the 2025 NCBA Nyali Open

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Home player William Odek edged out 2025 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series champion John Lejirma in a dramatic three‑hole aggregate, then sudden‑death playoff to claim the NCBA Nyali Open title as the 2025 season came to a close at Nyali Golf & Country Club. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Both players had tied on four over par 217 after three rounds, forcing the playoff that was only decided on the third extra sudden‑death trip down the 18th.

After the pair matched each other shot‑for‑shot on the 18th twice, the turning point came when Lejirma pulled his tee shot left behind the bunker as he went for the flag, breaking from his earlier conservative strategy of aiming for the centre of the green. Odek held his nerve, found the middle of the putting surface, and calmly secured his par as Lejirma bogeyed, ending the defending champion’s reign at Nyali.

Odek’s final round was a roller‑coaster, starting brightly with a birdie at the 2nd before dropping shots at the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th. An eagle on the 11th, however, swung the momentum back in his favour and kept him in front until Lejirma drew level on the 17th, setting up the playoff.

“I started out well with a par. Followed by a birdie but a series of bogeys followed but after getting an eagle on the 13th, I knew I had to hold steady and maintain it that way, which is what I did. The play-off against Lejirma was intense, but I am happy to have come out on top,” Odek said after his win.

Lejirma endured a rough start that included a triple bogey at the 4th, but showed his class with birdies at the 9th, 11th, 13th, and 17th to haul himself back into contention.

William Odek putts during the 2025 NCBA Nyali Open

“It has been a good long year full of lessons not just for me but also for everyone who walked the journey with me. I look forward to playing the Magical Kenya Open next but I will just keep it simple and trust my swing,” the 2025 KAGC Series ultimate champion said.

NCBA Group Director, Marketing, Communications & Citizenship, Nelly Wainaina, hailed the level of golf on display and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to the Series.

“Today we were treated to an spectacular round of golf by Odek, Lejirma, and Kamais. The play-off between Odek and Lejirma was even more intense and that is why we support this series – so that we can get to witness such kind of play. This is our third year supporting the KAGC Series and we will continue doing so to ensure the amateurs have not just a platform to play but also get to earn a living out of it,” she said.

Nakuru’s John Kamais played a course record of seven under par 64 on Saturday to lead heading to the last round but a double bogey on the fourth followed by five more bogeys on the 7th, 8th, 10th, 12th, and 16th saw him drop to third at the end of round three.

Njoro Country Club’s Mercy Nyanchama had a decent outing as well, playing rounds of 73, 75, and 73 for a total score of eight over par 221 to finish fourth with Felix Dusabe and Michael Karanga tied for fifth having played a stroke more.

The 2026 calendar will feature 33 events following the addition of the Ulinzi Open set to be held at the Kenya Air Force Golf Club in March and the Machakos Open scheduled for April.

Njoroge Kibugu

By AMANDA DAMARIS AND DANIELLA APIYO

Kenya’s Njoroge Kibugu and Naom Wafula have secured historic playing cards on the Sunshine Tour and Sunshine Ladies Tour after strong performances throughout the inaugural season of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing. Their achievements mark the first time Kenyan or East African golfers have earned full tour cards to major professional golf tours. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Njoroge secured his Sunshine Tour card directly by winning three Sunshine Development Tour events this season at Thika Greens Golf Resort, Nyali Golf Club and Vetlab Sports Club. His consistent run has placed him firmly at the top of the Tour standings and confirmed him as the first Kenyan and first East African to earn a full playing card on a global professional tour. For his stellar performance in the Tour, he has climbed 1,896 places on the Official World Golf Ranking from 3,508 before the start of the Tour to 1,612 currently – making him the highest-ranked East African in the world.

Naom Wafula earned her card to the Sunshine Ladies Tour after an outstanding season where she made seven out of eight cuts on the Sunshine Development Tour. She is currently ranked eighteenth on the Order of Merit and is the highest ranked female player on the Tour. Her performances throughout the season have confirmed her status as one of the region’s rising professionals.

Njoroge Kabugu

Speaking on the achievement, Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing Promoter Charles said this marks a turning point for golf in Kenya and the wider region:

“One hundred and twenty-five years after golf was introduced in this region, we launched the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing in partnership with the Sunshine Tour of South Africa to not only create a series of events in Kenya and East Africa but to create a link to global golf. The Sunshine Development Tour has created that link. It is the only world-ranked tour in Kenya, and the only one that offers ranking points that opens the doors to major global tours and also count towards Olympic qualification,” he said.

Gacheru added that Njoroge’s achievement sets a new benchmark for the region. “Njoroge Kibugu has secured a full Sunshine Tour card for 2026. This is a first for East African golf. He becomes the first East African and the first Kenyan in one hundred and twenty-five years to secure a full membership card to the Sunshine Tour. He has earned it purely on merit, through his performances on this tour. We expect him to flourish there and earn bigger world ranking points. He has now moved on to the main tour and will be playing against top professionals.”

NCBA Group Director Marketing, Communications & Citizenship, Njoroge Kibugu, and Nelly Wainaina (right) NCBA Deputy Director, and Head of Brands Jacquie Muhati (left)

On Wafula, Gacheru said her consistency made the difference. “Naom has been one of Kenya’s top amateur women for a long time and since turning professional she has shown the discipline and commitment needed at this level. She has now earned full membership to the Sunshine Ladies Tour for next year. This is also a first for Kenya and East Africa and we are proud that she has come through this pathway,” he said.

Njoroge said earning the card was a major moment in his young career. “It means a lot to be the first Kenyan to secure a Sunshine Tour card. I am very grateful to the Sunshine Development Tour for giving us this opportunity and I am excited to showcase my talent at the next level. The tour has been very important because right now it is the only way to get to a global tour apart from the Kenya Open,” he said.

He added that this achievement shows young golfers what is possible. “Getting this card proves that players from this region can move up. For juniors coming up they now see a clear pathway and that there is something big to play for. On the main tour my goal is to keep my card for the full season and try to get into the top ten as many times as possible. If I can get a win, it would be great. I want to gain as much knowledge as I can. I have played there before, and I believe I can do much better than I did. At 22 my long-term goal is to reach the major tours like the PGA Tour, LIV or the Asia Tour.”

Njoroge Kibugu in action at SIgona Golf Club during the PGK Equator Tour

Commenting on the development, Kenya Golf Union Chairman, Chris Kinuthia, said:

“The entire golfing fraternity under the Kenya Golf Union congratulates Njoroge Kibugu and Naom Wafula on this historic milestone which will, undoubtedly, enhance Kenya’s profile as a golfing nation. The achievements underscore the need for further investment in golf development in the country from both an amateur and professional perspective and highlights the need for a sustained pathway such as the Sunshine Development Tour and other Tours which elevate local and regional golf to global standards. We look forward to following both players’ progress at the Sunshine Tour and commit our continued support.”

Wafula said the news was emotional for her and marked the fulfilment of a long-term dream. “For me to be the first Kenyan woman golfer to get a global tour card through the Sunshine Development Tour is amazing. It has always been my dream to play on a major tour and I was overwhelmed when I received the news. I am grateful to the Sunshine Development Tour because it has given us a chance to play high level competitions here at home and that has opened the door for me to go international,” she said.

She added that she hopes her journey encourages other girls. “I hope other young women will see that it is possible to reach international platforms through this pathway. My goal now is to play in all Sunshine Ladies Tour events next season and do my best in each tournament.”

Kenya Ladies Golf Union Chairperson Rosemary Mkok congratulated Naom for her achievement and said it is a defining moment for the development of women’s golf in Kenya:

“We congratulate Naom on this remarkable accomplishment which immortalizes her in Kenya’s golf history books as the first female golfer to ever get a card to a global tour. We applaud her for her tremendous effort and focus which has earned her this great opportunity to fly Kenya’s flag in Africa’s elite ladies golf tour for the coming season. This achievement aligns with our mission of sustained development of ladies’ golf in the country, and we commit to continue working with like-minded partners to achieve this goal. We are very proud of you Naom,” said Mkok

The East Africa Swing will conclude its season with two more tournaments in January 2026. The first will be staged at Thika Greens Golf Resort marking the ninth leg of the Tour, followed by the Grand Finale at the Karen Country Club, where the top 30 players from the Tour will compete against the top 30 players from South Africa’s Big Easy Tour. The finalists will compete for promotion cards to the main Sunshine Tour for the 2026 season.