NCBA Kiambu Open champion John Kamaisi in action at Kiambu Golf Club.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Attention on the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) circuit shifts to Kakamega Sports Club this weekend, where a field of 66 golfers from four countries will compete in the NCBA Goldfields Trophy. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

The tournament, which will be played from Friday to Sunday, has attracted players from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi, all seeking valuable KAGC Order of Merit points, a share of the KES 500,000 prize purse, and an opportunity to strengthen their standing as the season approaches its halfway mark.

The Kenyan challenge will be led by some of the circuit’s top performers, including Kiambu Open winner John Kamaisi, NCBA Ronald Marshall & Toby Gibson Matchplay champion Elvis Muigua, Golf Park’s Josphat Rono, Amos Odongo, Ken Serem and home player Cedric Konzolo.

Regional competition is expected from a strong Rwandan contingent led by Hitayezu Jean D’Amour, Felix Dusabe, Alain Niyonkuru and Jacques Byiringiro. Uganda will be represented by Abraham Olupot, Robert Masaba, Ben Okanya and Lawrence Okwii, while Burundi’s Salum Nkurunziza will also be in the field.

The tournament is guaranteed to crown a new champion following the transition of two-time winner John Lejirma to the professional ranks earlier this year. Lejirma claimed both the 2024 and 2025 editions before turning professional.

The event follows last week’s NCBA Ruiru Open, where Muthaiga Golf Club’s Eugene Wafula secured his maiden KAGC title after carding a tournament total of two-under-par 217 to edge out John Kamaisi by a single stroke.

Speaking ahead of the weekend’s events, NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora said the bank remains committed to supporting golf development across all levels of the game.

“This weekend highlights the diversity of golf development in Kenya. The NCBA Goldfields Trophy will bring together some of the region’s leading amateur golfers competing for ranking points and Order of Merit honours, while the NCBA Golf Series continues to provide club golfers with opportunities to compete and progress towards the Grand Finale. We are encouraged by the continued growth in participation across both circuits and remain committed to supporting the game at every level.”

Limuru Country Club’s Roy Nichola follows the path of his tee shot during the NCBA Golf Series at his home club.

Meanwhile, the 2026 NCBA Golf Series continues with its sixteenth qualifying leg at Karen Country Club on Saturday, where more than 200 golfers are expected to tee off.

Participants will compete for top honours and qualification slots to the NCBA Golf Series Grand Finale, which will be staged at Karen Country Club in November.

The Series has continued to attract strong participation across the country, with golfers competing for a chance to qualify for the season-ending event that brings together winners and top performers from qualifying legs staged throughout the year.

The two events form part of NCBA’s broader golf sponsorship programme, which spans junior, amateur, professional and club golf, reflecting the bank’s long-term commitment to growing the sport across Kenya and the wider region.

Kabete Challenge winner Dismas Indiza poses with his trophy

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Kakamega Sports Club veteran professional Dismas Indiza claimed his second Sunshine Development Tour title after edging out Karen Country Club’s Edwin Mudanyi in a dramatic sudden-death playoff at the conclusion of the Kabete Challenge at VetLab Sports Club on Tuesday. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Indiza and Mudanyi finished regulation play tied on 3-under par 213, forcing a playoff after an enthralling final round that saw both players trade blows in pursuit of the title.

Indiza, who began the day tied for the lead alongside Mudanyi and Michael Karanga, carded a composed 2-under par 70. His round featured birdies on the 4th, 5th, 17th and 18th holes, while bogeys on the 2nd and 7th threatened to derail his charge.

The veteran’s resilience proved decisive as he birdied the 18th hole to post the clubhouse lead and pile pressure on Mudanyi in the final group.

Speaking after his victory, Indiza said: “I’m very happy with the win. It wasn’t easy because the competition was very strong and Edwin played really well today. I stayed patient, trusted my experience and kept fighting until the last hole. Making that birdie on 18 gave me a chance, and once we got into the playoff, I knew I just had to stay focused and give myself an opportunity.”

“This is a good result for me and a big boost for the rest of the season.”

Edwin Mudanyi (R) receives his runners-up dummy cheque from Sunshine Development Tour CEO David Ndung’u (L).

Mudanyi looked poised to secure the title after leading for much of the day. The Karen Country Club professional produced a steady round highlighted by birdies on the 1st, 7th and 10th holes, with his only dropped shot coming on the 3rd as he also signed for a 2-under par 70.

Heading to the 18th hole, Mudanyi held a one-shot advantage and appeared set to seal victory. However, a par on the closing hole, coupled with Indiza’s birdie moments earlier, saw the pair finish tied and head into a playoff where Indiza eventually emerged victorious.

Mudanyi said after the round: “It’s disappointing to come so close and not get the win, but that’s golf. I played solidly throughout the week and gave myself a chance. There are plenty of positives to take from this performance and I’ll use it as motivation going into the next events on the Tour.”

For his victory, Indiza pocketed KES 300,000 from the tournament’s KES 1.5 million prize purse, while Mudanyi earned KES 160,500 for his runner-up finish.

Finishing third was elite amateur Adel Balala of Nyali Golf & Country Club, who carded a tournament total of 2-under par 214. Balala once again demonstrated his growing stature on the regional golf scene with a consistent three-round performance against a strong professional field.

Balala said: “I’m pleased with how I played this week. Competing against some of the region’s best professionals and finishing near the top gives me a lot of confidence. There are still areas I can improve on, but overall it’s been a positive week and I’m looking forward to the next challenge.”

Newly turned professional Michael Karanga continued his impressive start to life in the paid ranks, finishing fourth on 1-under par 215.

Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera was the highest-ranked foreign player, finishing tied eighth alongside Kenya’s Mutahi Kibugu on 4-over par 220.

The Kabete Challenge attracted 67 players from 10 countries, including professionals, amateurs and junior golfers from across East Africa and beyond.

The tournament formed the third leg of the 2026 Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing season and offered players valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points and Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points, which are crucial for progression to the main Sunshine Tour.