By OUR CORRESPONDENT
The stage is set for the NCBA Kiambu Open scheduled to take place from May 8 to 10 at Kiambu Golf Club, with a new champions expected to be crowned following the departure of past winners Michael Karanga and Naomi Wafula to the professional ranks.
The tournament, a key fixture on the Kenya Amateur Golf Circuit calendar, comes with heightened anticipation as the circuit approaches its midpoint, with players looking to strengthen their positions on the Order of Merit standings and a share of the KES 500,000 prize purse.
Karanga, who won the previous two editions, recently turned professional, while Wafula, who claimed the 2023 title, made her move to the professional ranks last year. Their absence has opened the field, setting the stage for a highly competitive showdown among the country’s top amateur golfers.
Leading the contenders is Kenya Amateur Golf Circuit Order of Merit leader Jay Sandhu from Muthaiga Golf Club, who currently tops the standings with 560 points following strong performances, including wins at the NCBA Windsor Classic and the NCBA Muthaiga Open.
Also in contention is junior golfer Junaid Manji, who sits second on the Order of Merit with 334 points and continues to impress with consistent performances this season. Ndumberi Golf Club’s Elvis Muigua is also expected to mount a serious challenge as he looks to stake his claim among the leading amateurs.
The Kiambu Open follows closely on the heels of the NCBA Trans Nzoia Open Championship played last month, where Geoffrey Kariuki delivered a brilliant performance to clinch the title after carding rounds of 79, 71, and 75 to secure victory.
Meanwhile, the NCBA Golf Series continues its nationwide journey with the Eldoret Golf Club set to host the latest leg this weekend. The event is expected to attract a strong field of golfers from the North Rift region, all competing for top honours and qualification spots to the NCBA Golf Series Grand Finale scheduled for November at Karen Country Club.
To add onto the excitement, the event will also feature JCB Backhoe Loader hole-in-one prize courtesy of construction and agricultural machinery dealers JCB Ganatra. The challenge will be staged at the par 3 x hole at the 18-hole Eldoret course.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming events, NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting the growth of golf across the country.
“As we approach the midpoint of the amateur golf circuit, events like the NCBA Kiambu Open continue to play a key role in shaping the competition and giving players an opportunity to rise through the ranks. At the same time, the NCBA Golf Series allows us to engage golfers across the country, as we will see this weekend in Eldoret. Together, these platforms are important in growing the game, supporting talent, and strengthening the golfing community,” he said.
