Kenyan junior golfer Malaika Kasio tees-off at Windsor during the NCBA Kenya Invitational Junior tournament earlier this year.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) is set to host the annual NCBA Kenya Junior Invitational, the largest and most prestigious event on the U.S. Kids Golf calendar in Kenya. The tournament will take place from December 20th to 22nd, 2025, at the Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, and is expected to attract approximately 120 elite junior golfers from across the globe. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Now a cornerstone event on the regional junior golf calendar, the NCBA Junior Invitational has grown steadily over the years, earning a reputation for world-class organization, strong competition, and international participation. The 2025 edition will feature juniors from eight countries: Kenya, Uganda, Lithuania, India, Thailand, Norway, Nigeria, and China, reinforcing the event’s growing global profile.

The Invitational carries additional significance, with the Boys 13–14, Boys 15–18, and Girls 15–18 categories eligible for World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points. This provides young golfers with a rare and valuable opportunity to earn international ranking points on home soil, further strengthening Kenya’s position as a hub for competitive junior golf in Africa.

Previous editions of the NCBA U.S. Kids Golf Invitational have produced standout performances from juniors who have gone on to compete and win in regional and international amateur events. The tournament has become a critical stepping stone for juniors transitioning from national competition to global stages, aligning with JGF’s long-term player development pathway.

Adam Nesbitt in action at Muthaiga during the NCBA US Kids Golf Fall Tour Championship.

Speaking ahead of the event, James Odingo, Tournament Director and Vice President of the Junior Golf Foundation, emphasized the Invitational’s importance to junior golf development in Kenya and beyond:

“The NCBA U.S. Kids Golf Invitational is the pinnacle of our junior golf calendar. It brings together the best junior golfers from different parts of the world, creating a competitive environment that challenges our players and prepares them for international golf. With WAGR points on offer and participation from eight countries, this event continues to raise the standard of junior golf in Kenya.”

He added:

“Over the years, we have seen juniors who competed in this Invitational go on to excel in elite amateur tournaments and earn global recognition. This event is a clear demonstration of what is possible when strong partnerships, quality competition, and structured development come together.

The tournament is sponsored by NCBA Bank, the title sponsor of the U.S. Kids Golf Series. NCBA’s support of junior golf has played a pivotal role in expanding access to competitive opportunities, nurturing talent, and positioning Kenya as a leading destination for junior golf in the region.

NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora, said: “The NCBA U.S. Kids Golf Kenya Invitational reflects our long-term commitment to developing junior golf in Kenya and across the region. Through our partnership with the Junior Golf Foundation and U.S. Kids Golf, we are creating structured pathways that give young players exposure, competitive experience, and opportunities to grow both locally and internationally. We are proud to see this tournament continue to raise standards and position Kenya as a destination for world-class junior golf. We are delighted to welcome all the junior golfers to this tournament as we close the year.”

Overall Winner Felix Kandie awarded by Jane Nganga NCBA

By AMANDA DAMARIS

More players booked their spots for the fast-approaching NCBA Golf Series Grand Finale following their respective triumphs during the Diamond Leisure Lodge Monthly Mug on Saturday. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Felix Kandie emerged the overall winner after carding 28 points. George Mokaya was the Men winner with 38 points as Pauline Nduva clinched the Lady Winner title with 37 points. Patel Kumar (38) and Daniella Gallaway (34) won the Division Two titles as Arcel Adeyemo (35) clinched the junior title.

“It was a nice round, started off with a bogey on the first hole but followed it up with a series of pars. I missed a couple of birdies, but I am impressed with the performance. I am looking forward to playing at Muthaiga and will put in more training before then. At the moment, my game is on the upward and I know I will have a good performance,” Kandie said.

The 2025 series is in final stretch ahead of the grand finale showdown, with Muthaiga set to host the final major qualifying leg at the start of November before paving way for the finale showdown later in the month.

Nyeri Golf Club, Nyahururu Golf Club, and Kericho Golf Club are set to host mini qualifiers in the form of club mugs, offering more opportunities for golfers to book their tickets.

Elsewhere, the NCBA U.S. Kids Golf Nairobi Fall Local Tour delivered yet another exciting weekend of junior golf action at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club on Sunday, marked by standout under-par rounds and closely contested categories.

Aryan Patel stole the spotlight in the Boys 7 category with a brilliant 1-under-par round as Hakeem Mutungi impressed with an incredible 3-under-par finish in the Boys 9 category. Ishaan Patel added to the list of standout performances, shooting 1-under to win the Boys 11 division in style.

Lady Winner Pauline Nduva awarded by Jane Nganga NCBA

Victor Haland took top honors in the Boys 6 & Under category with a score of +7, while Surya Bongu battled through tough conditions to claim victory in the Boys 8 division with +8. Paren Reel carded +4 to secure the Boys 10 category. In the older age groups, Adam Nesbitt posted +3 to win the Boys 12 category, George Ikirima claimed the Boys 13-14 division with +5, and Wahome Mutahi held firm to win the Boys 15-18 category on +4.

Njeri Nganga won the Girls 8 & Under title with +2 as Leticia Mwangale delivered a confident performance to win the Girls 9-10 category with +4. Ashley Gachora  carded +8 to take the Girls 11-12 division, while Siqian Yu matched that effort with +8 in the Girls 13-14 category. Shani D’Souza rounded off the winners’ list, taking home the Girls 15-18 title with a score of +30.

At the same time, Royal Nairobi Golf Club’s John Lejirma delivered an outstanding performance to win the 2025 NCBA Nyanza Open Hippo Pot with an impressive total score of 1-under-par 209 at the Nyanza Golf Club in Kisumu.

The Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series leader carded rounds of 70, 69, and 70 to finish first ahead of William Odek and John Koina who who finished second and third on par (69, 72, 69) and five-over par 215 (72, 71, 71), respectively.

Last year’s winner, John Kamais had to settle for eighth after carding 13-over par 223, thanks to a disappointing second round on Saturday that saw him play in excess of eight strokes.