By DANIELLA APIYO

Kevin Anyien rallied from behind on the final day, producing a composed and clinical performance to win the 3rd NCBA Great Rift Valley Championship on Sunday 15, during the third leg of the 2026 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series at the Great Rift Valley Resort. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

The Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club golfer carded rounds of 75, 76, and a superb closing 69 to seal victory on a total of seven over par 220.

His clubmate, Kamoza Longwe, finished second on 10-over par 223 after rounds of 78, 74, and 71, while home player Kevin Barasa secured third place at 12 over par 225.

Wasim Ali of Vet Lab Sports Club placed fourth on 226 (+13), with Isaac Makokha and Stephen Gichari sharing fifth at 227 (+14).

The victory saw Anyien move to fifth on the 2026 KAGC Order of Merit standings with 110 points. Youngster Junaid Manji maintains his lead atop with 280 points, followed by Rafael Leming’ani with 186.00 points. Elvis Muigua is third with 120 points, with Jacques Byiringiro fourth (112.50) after three legs in the series.

Elsewhere, while the country’s top amateurs were battling it out in Naivasha, the next generation of Kenyan golfers was on display at the NCBA US Kids Golf Local Tour event held on Sunday, February 15 at Vet Lab Sports Club.

Victor Haland claimed top honours in the Boys 6 & Under division with a score of 44 (+8), while Aryan Patel won the Boys 8 category at 42 (+6). In the Boys 9 division, James Tino impressed with a two-over-par 38, and Mohamed Mtsumi delivered one of the day’s sharpest rounds in the Boys 10 class, finishing at +1 (37).

In the older boys’ divisions, Paren Reel (Boys 11) and Shuhan Peng (Boys 13–14) both posted strong rounds of +2 and +3, respectively, over 18 holes, while Savir Shah topped the Boys 15–18 category with an 82 (+10).

The girls’ field was equally competitive. Sanayah Sultan led the Girls 8 & Under division with 46 (+10), Avanti Bongu won the Girls 9–10 category at 43 (+7), and Aria Dodhia produced one of the most impressive performances of the day with a +1 (73) in the Girls 11–12 division. Siqian Yu rounded out the winners in the Girls 13–14 class with 81 (+9).

Elsewhere on Saturday, Seniors stole the spotlight at Muthaiga Golf Club as experience proved decisive during the club’s 2026 NCBA Golf Series qualifying leg, which attracted 270 golfers.

Former club captain Rajesh Bhabra emerged as the Overall Gross Winner after carding an impressive 72 Gross off handicap 6 while Nancy Ndungu (handicap 11) reinforced the seniors’ dominance by securing the Overall Lady Winner title after carding 86 Gross, reclaiming the title she won in 2023.

In the runners-up positions, Bo Ciera finished as the Male Runner-Up on 77 Gross off handicap 4, while Florence Maina (handicap 13), another senior golfer, claimed the Lady Runner-Up slot with 87 Gross, ensuring the seniors maintained a strong presence on the podium.

The battle for third and fourth overall positions was equally intense. Junior player Peter Mwindi (handicap 9) posted 79 Gross to take the third position, while Dennis Muriithi (handicap 11) returned 80 Gross to finish fourth. Alpha Ndungu (handicap 6) emerged as Junior Winner after an impressive 79 Gross.

Bhabra, Nancy Ndung’u, Ciera, Maina, Mwindi, Muriithi, and Alpha Ndung’u join other golfers from Royal Nairobi Golf Club and Kericho Golf Club on the list of those who have booked their slots for the Grand Finale set for November this year.

By DANIELLA APIYO

SportPesa has announced a Ksh. 20 million sponsorship towards the 2026 Magical Kenya Open, reaffirming its strategic investment in the local sports ecosystem.

The sp0nsorship will support the 57th edition of the Magical Kenya Open, one of Africa’s most prestigious golf tournaments and a key event on the DP World Tour calendar, attracting elite international golfers, global media coverage, and sports tourism opportunities.

Speaking during the announcement at the Karen Country Club, the host golf course for the competition, SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri said: “This is our grand entry into golf, and we are going to keep doing this for years to come.

“By supporting the Magical Kenya Open, we are investing in a platform that attracts world-class talent and enhances Kenya’s international reputation as a competitive host for premier sporting events.”

Increased prize purse

A total of 144 golf players are expected to compete for this year’s edition which has an improved prize purse of USD 2.7 million.

Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) Chairman Patrick Obath commented on the partnership saying: “We welcome SportPesa as the official gaming and betting partner for the Magical Kenya Open 2026. Their support will help enhance the tournament experience for players, fans, and partners while reinforcing Kenya’s position on the global golfing calendar.”

As a key fixture on the DP World Tour calendar, the Magical Kenya Open has grown significantly in stature in recent years, becoming a platform for elite competition, investment, collaboration, and the promotion of Brand Kenya to global audiences.

Kenya’s flag will be flown by 10 professional and amateur golfers including Justus Madoya, Dismas Indiza, Isaiah Otuke and Jacob Okello, whose second place finish at Muthaiga in 1998 remains the best a Kenyan has reached in the Kenya Open.

“In golf, we know success is never accidental. It takes preparation, precision, and strong partnerships. With SportPesa on board, we are not just aiming to host a great tournament, we are positioning Magical Kenya Open for sustained growth, and greater international prestige,” said KOGL Commercial Director, Ronald Meru.

The investment in golf comes barely a fortnight after SportPesa announced a Ksh. 120 million multi-sports investment targeting rallying, boxing and rugby. The company also has a running Kes. 1.12 billion title sponsorship of the SportPesa League where it also sponsors Gor Mahia FC, Murang’a SEAL and Shabana FC.

“Kenya is increasingly positioning itself as a host for international sporting events across athletics, rugby, football, motorsport, and now elite golf. We are proud to contribute to this journey by backing events that enhance Kenya’s global competitiveness,” Concluded Jason Gibson, Chief Commercial Officer at SportPesa.