NCBA Kabete Open 2026 Champion John Kamaisi with his trophy.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Nakuru Golf Club’s John Kamaisi claimed the 2026 NCBA Kabete Open title on Sunday after producing a composed final-round performance to seal his second victory of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) season at VetLab Sports Club. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Kamaisi carded a one-over-par 73 in the final round to finish on a three-over-par total of 219, following earlier rounds of 74 and 72. His consistent display saw him remain in contention from the opening round and fend off a strong field of 130 golfers from across East Africa.

The victory follows his triumph at the NCBA Kiambu Open earlier this season and sees him rise to the top of the KAGC Order of Merit standings with 736 points after 13 events, overtaking Muthaiga Golf Club’s Jay Sandhu, who now moves to second on 630 points.

For his victory, Kamaisi received KES 115,600 from the tournament’s KES 500,000 prize purse.

Speaking after lifting the trophy, Kamaisi said: “I’m delighted to win the NCBA Kabete Open. It’s one of the toughest tournaments on the KAGC calendar, so to come out on top against such a strong field is very satisfying. I stayed patient throughout the three rounds, trusted my game, and I’m happy it paid off. Going top of the Order of Merit gives me confidence heading into the next stretch of the season, but there’s still a lot of golf to be played.”

NCBA Kabete Open 2026 Champion John Kamaisi in action during the final round of the NCBA Kabete Open at VetLab Sports Club

VetLab Sports Club’s Ebill Omollo finished second after closing with a one-over-par 73 for a tournament total of six-over-par 222. The NCBA Coronation & Bendor Trophy champion, who was among the title contenders throughout the week, earned KES 69,400 for his runner-up finish.

Reflecting on his performance, Omollo said: “It was a competitive tournament and I’m pleased with how I fought throughout the weekend. Of course, everyone comes here aiming to win, but finishing second keeps me in a good position as we head into the next events. I’ll take the positives from this week, keep working on my game, and look forward to the challenges ahead.”

Third place was shared by Jay Sandhu of Muthaiga Golf Club and VetLab’s Kushagra Sharma, who both finished on eight-over-par 224. Sandhu posted rounds of 81, 71 and 72, while Sharma returned rounds of 74, 78 and 72. Each received KES 40,000.

Speaking after the championship, Kenya Golf Union Vice-Chairman Jonathan Marucha praised the quality of competition witnessed throughout the tournament and the continued growth of the KAGC circuit.

“The NCBA Kabete Open once again demonstrated the high standard of amateur golf we continue to witness on the KAGC circuit. The quality of competition has been exceptional, and it’s encouraging to see both established players and emerging talent consistently raising the level of the game.”

Muthaiga Golf CLub elite amateur Jay Sandhu tees off during the final round of the NCBA Kabete Open at VetLab Sports Club.

“As we head into the Coast Open and the Kenya Swing, we expect the competition to become even more intense as players battle for valuable Order of Merit and World Amateur Golf Ranking points. We thank NCBA for its continued support, which has been instrumental in strengthening the amateur game and providing golfers with quality competitive opportunities throughout the season.”

Following the Kabete Open, the KAGC circuit now heads to Nyali Golf & Country Club for the NCBA Coast Open next weekend from July 3 to 5.

Attention will then shift to the highly anticipated Kenya Swing, beginning with the Limuru Open & Brackenhurst Trophy at Limuru Country Club from July 17 to 19, followed by the Kenya Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Royal Nairobi Golf Club from July 23 to 26, before concluding with the Kenya Amateur Match Play Championship from July 30 to August 2.

The Swing tournaments are expected to play a decisive role in the race for the KAGC title, with valuable World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and Order of Merit points on offer as players battle for supremacy in the second half of the season.

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.