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.”

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.