Cherono Kipkorir in action during the Royal Nairobi Golf Club NCBA Golf Series qualifier

By AMANDA DAMARIS

The 2026 NCBA Golf Series is set to continue this Saturday February 14 ahead of a busy golfing weekend that will also have the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship Series take place, and the US Kids Golf tee off. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Muthaiga Golf Club will host the third leg of the 2026 NCBA Golf Series where more than 200 golfers will battle for the seven Grand Finale slots up for grabs across different categories.

Golfers will battle for top honors in multiple categories including the overall gross winner men, overall gross winner lady, overall gross runners up men, overall gross runners up lady, the third and fourth best overall gross, and junior winner.

More golf action will unfold at the Great Rift Valley Lodge where 78 amateurs will be battling for the 3rd NCBA Great Rift Valley Championship title from Friday 13 through to Sunday 15 as the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series enters the third leg as well.

Rafael Leming’ani will be out to defend the title he won last year, edging out Josphat Rono and Ebill Omollo in a three-hole playoff after the trio finished round three tied at 11-over par 224.

Leming’ani will be joined by Rono on the course with John Kamais and Isaac Makokha also among the players in the draw. Louisa Gitau will be the only female golfer on the course over the weekend.

The defending champion is optimistic that a good start to the KAGC series which has seen him win the Mt Kenya Championship two weeks ago will propel him.

“There is a little bit of pressure going into this leg because everyone is looking at me as the defending champion. However, I have had a good start to the series and the win at the Mt Kenya Championship is a big boost for me at such an early stage in the competition. I have trained well and I am ready for the weekend,” Leming’ani said.

NCBA Kenya MD James Gossip follows his putt during the Royal Nairobi Golf Club qualifier

In addition to the NCBA Golf Series and the KAGC Series, the NCBA US Kids Golf Spring Nairobi Tour will tee off at the VetLab Sports Club on Sunday, February 15.

The junior 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.

This event underscores NCBA’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of golfing talent by providing young players with a competitive yet supportive platform.

NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora stated, “We are set for the first busy golfing weekend of the year where we will have activities across the NCBA Golf Series, the KAGC series, and the US Kids Golf Spring Nairobi Tour. This is a testament to what we continue to work towards in our involvement in the sport to ensure that we grow the game at all levels.

This NCBA series and the KAGC Series teed off earlier, and both are set for the third leg this weekend, and the enthusiasm is already showing. We are proud to support this dynamic sport that fosters community and skill development across the region.”

Pro Brian Njoroge makes ceremonial tee off during the NCBA Golf Series Launch at Karen Country Club

By AMANDA DAMARIS

The 2026 NCBA Golf Series officially teed off today at the Karen Country Club, marking the start of another competitive golfing campaign across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Launched on Thursday, January 15, the 2026 NCBA Golf Series continues to build on five successful editions that have positioned NCBA as the leading corporate supporter of golf in the region.

As part of the launch, NCBA announced the renewal of its partnerships with the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) and the Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) ahead of the 2026 activities, committing over KES 60 million for the 2026 activities.

Under the renewed partnership KGU will receive KES 6 million to support the 2026 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series which teed off today with the NCBA Sigona Bowl at the Sigona Golf Club. The Junior Golf Foundation will receive KES 12 million to support junior golf events throughout the year, focusing on nurturing young talent and expanding access to the game.

A total of 35 events including 13 main qualifiers, 14 Mugs, and 2 Club Nites will be held in Kenya this year, with Uganda hosting three, Rwanda two, and Tanzania one.

Royal Nairobi Golf Club will host the first leg on January 31, 2026, paving way for the Series to traverse the country and will culminate with the Grand Finale on November 27, 2026, at the Karen Country Club.

The 2026 NCBA-sponsored events calendar will see a total of 166 events held across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, an increase from 164 events held in 2025. Of those, 123 will be hosted in Kenya, 35 in Uganda, five in Tanzania, and three in Rwanda.

Out of the 166 events, 90 will be Junior tournaments where Kenya will host 49, Uganda 32, Tanzania four, and Rwanda one. This will be the second time Rwanda will be hosting a Junior event under the NCBA umbrella, their first one having been last year.

Speaking during the launch, NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora said; “We are excited to launch the 2026 NCBA Golf Series. Each event is targeted at club members and customers, juniors, amateurs, and professionals and offers a platform for competition, friendship, and personal growth, reinforcing the values that bind us together as a community. Our annual investment of over KES 60 million is not just a statistic; it reflects on lives touched, dreams ignited, and a legacy of excellence we are proud to nurture.”

NCBA Group Marketing & Communications Director Nelly Wainaina, and NCBA Group MD John Gachora presents NCBA’s sponsorship to Junior Golf Foundation President Vincent Mukiri for JGF 2026 events.

Furthermore, Mr. Gachora outlined the impact of junior golf, pledging the bank’s continued support for the budding golfers: “This year we will see an expanded calendar for our juniors across the region and we are happy to be on the forefront to support the Junior Golf Federation. Last year, we saw junior players triumph when they came up against amateur golfers and we would like to see the same continue this year. At NCBA, we believe that the future of golf lies in nurturing young talent.”

On his part, KGU Chairman Chris Kinuthia thanked NCBA for their continued partnership and support. “As the Kenya Golf Union, we are delighted to continue our partnership with the NCBA Group for our 2026 activities.  Last year, we had one of the most competitive Kenya Amateur Golf Championship Series. When we have such partnerships, the amateurs have something to play for because the prize money is a good motivation. This collaboration highlights our shared commitment to nurturing golfing talent and promoting the sport’s growth in Kenya and beyond. We look forward to a competitive and exciting season ahead.”

JGF President Vincent Mukiri applauded NCBA’s efforts in advancing junior golf, noting: “This partnership has revolutionized junior golf development across Kenya and East Africa. It provides young golfers with vital competitive platforms, skill-building opportunities, and pathways for growth. When the juniors see a clear pathway being created through the different levels just as NCBA is doing, they want to go up the levels and turn pros because they have something to look up to. Expanding junior tournaments to Rwanda and scaling events regionally demonstrates unwavering commitment to elevating golf throughout East Africa.”

The JGF-Kenya calendar is set to tee off with the NCBA U.S. Kids Golf Spring Nairobi Tour on Sunday February 8, 2026, at the VetLab Sports Club