John Kamais of Nakuru Golf Club celebrates after winning the 2024 Nyanza Open Hippo Pot.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Nakuru Golf Club’s John Kamais will return to Nyanza Golf Club this weekend, from Friday, October 10, through to Sunday, 12, aiming to defend the NCBA Nyanza Open – Hippo Pot title. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Last year, Kamais carded 9-over par 219 to finish ahead of John Lejirma (221), John Timbe (222), and John Koina (222) in a battle of Johns and will be hoping to replicate the same performance this weekend.

This year, a total of 42 golfers will take to the course hoping to get a share of the KES 400,000 prize purse, including the Ugandan duo of Joseph Kasozi, who finished fifth last year, and Titus Okwong.

Elvis Muigua, William Odek, and Isaac Makokha are some of the other names on the list for the Nyanza showdown.

Last weekend, David Kiragu put up a strong fight to emerge as the 2025 NCBA Tea Fields Trophy champion as the KAGC Series pitched camp in Kericho.

Kiragu scored 3-over-par 219 to finish ahead of Elly Barno and Elvis Muigua who were tied on 6-over-par 222, as defending champion Titus Okwong from Uganda, played four strokes more to finish on 10-over-par 226.

The Muthaiga Golf Club player carded 77 in the first round on Friday but played seven strokes less on Saturday to finish the second round 2-under-par 70. On Sunday, he managed to play even par to finish first and dethrone Okwong.

On his part, Barno played rounds of 75, 76, and 71 while Muigua carded 74, 75, and 73 across the three days.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora said: “We are happy to be at Nyanza this weekend for another important leg of the KAGC Series. Our commitment this year to supporting golf’s full cycle means that we get to support elite amateurs through this series. Apart from this, the NCBA Golf Series will continue this weekend with the Diamond Leisure Lodge Monthly Mug, and we will also be having a junior event at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club, all these are events within our broader golf umbrella.”

Elsewhere, more golfers will have a chance to book their slots for the NCBA Golf Series Grand Finale during the Diamond Leisure Lodge Monthly Mug on Saturday.

More than 100 golfers are expected to grace the course in Diani for the event that will see four more players join the long list of golfers who have already secured their tickets for Muthaiga.

Last weekend, Luther Kamau, Nancy Steinmann Nyambura Muigai, Stuart Scott, Doug McIntyre, and Prince Moreno emerged triumphant in different categories during the Great Rift Valley Lodge qualifying leg, earning themselves the coveted slots.

In addition, the sixth leg of the U.S. Kids Golf Nairobi Fall Tour will be held on Sunday at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club

The event, which is jointly organized by U.S. Kids Golf and the Junior Golf Foundation Kenya, is expected to attract over 100 junior golfers aged between 5 and 18 years, both boys and girls.

Samuel Njoroge follows his tee shot. He finished second.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND DAMARIS APIYO

Veteran and Kakamega Golf Club’s pro golfer Dismas Indiza has claimed the Fifth Leg of the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) Equator Tour held in Nakuru. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

The in-form and determined Indiza fired an impressive 12-under-par, totalling 280 over four rounds, to secure his first PGK Equator Tour title. Indiza took home KES 201,000 as the overall winner.

“This tour is really good for us Kenyan professional golfers. It has kept us on the course as we prepare for next year’s Magical Kenya Open and the Olympics qualifier. In the last leg, I finished second after a playoff, and today I am happy to have finally taken the trophy home, though I almost messed up on the last hole after hitting out of bounds,” said an elated Indiza.

Taking second place was Safaricom-sponsored golfer Samuel Njoroge from the Railways Golf Club, who carded a total of 282, 10-under-par, tying with Jastas Madoya of the Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort. The duo each walked away with KES 138,750.

“The Nakuru leg has been great. I came here expecting a top five finish, and I am glad to have achieved that. The course was in good condition with favourable weather. I remained focused throughout and really paid off with the second position overall. I now draw my attention to the next leg which I hope to win.  My dream is to one day represent Kenya at the Olympics, and I’m working hard towards that,” said Samuel Njoroge.

David Wahu finished fourth with a total of 286, 6-under-par, taking home KES 105,000.

John Kagiri and Daniel Nduva settled for fifth place, while other Safaricom-sponsored golfers Mohit Mediratta and Mutahi Kibugu tied for seventh on 289, three-under-par, alongside Isaiah Otuke, John Karichu, and Mike Kisia.

Vipingo Golf Club’s Naomi Wafula, the only accredited PGK Lady Pro, finished in 17th position, her first PGK Tour event where she made the cut.

With the Nakuru leg concluded, the PGK Equator Tour now heads to Diamonds Leisure Golf Resort in Diani in two weeks’ time for the sixth leg, as the race to secure qualification points for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics intensifies.

Among the key corporate sponsors of the event is Safaricom, which has committed KES 3 million over three years to support four professional golfers; Mohit Mediratta, Mutahi Kibugu, Matthew Wahome, and Samuel Njoroge.