By OUR CORRESPONDENT
The NCBA Winston Churchill Championship teed off at the Thika Sports Club and will conclude on Sunday.
The tournament is a key fixture in the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series and will feature a competitive field of 78 players battling for a total prize purse of KES 500,000.
The event is expected to attract top amateur golfers in Kenya, providing them with a crucial platform to showcase their talent and earn valuable ranking points.
Among the key contenders in this year’s championship is John Lejirma, one of the most formidable players in the amateur golf circuit. Fresh off his recent triumph at the NCBA Kisii Open, Lejirma has demonstrated remarkable consistency and dominance. At the Kisii Sports Club, he clinched the inaugural NCBA Kisii Open ‘Shabana Trophy’ with an outstanding total score of -4 (209) over three rounds. The Royal Nairobi Golf Club golfer posted impressive rounds of 71, 69, and 69, securing a commanding ten-stroke victory over his closest competitor, Naomi Wafula of Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort.
The latest win marked Lejirma’s second victory in the 2025 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series, following his earlier triumph at the NCBA Windsor Classic on March 9 at Windsor Golf and Country Club. His stellar performances have propelled him to the top of the 2025 KAGC leaderboard with 204 points, placing him ahead of Michael Karanga, who currently holds 121.8 points from three events.
Also set to feature prominently in the tournament is Kiambu Golf Club’s Elvis Muigua who enters the NCBA Winston Churchill Championship as the defending champion, having won the tournament last year. His past success at Thika Sports Club will serve as a confidence booster as he seeks to retain his title and cement his position as a top competitor in the series.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, NCBA Group MD John Gachora said, “We are excited to support the NCBA Winston Churchill Championship, a tournament that continues to give young golfers a platform to showcase their talent and grow in the game. It’s always inspiring to see the level of skill and passion in Kenya’s amateur golf scene, and we look forward to an exciting competition at Thika Sports Club.”
KGU Chairman David Ndungu said, “KGU extends its sincere appreciation to NCBA Bank for its support in fostering the growth of golf in Kenya. Through its continued investment in the sport, NCBA has played a pivotal role in nurturing young talent and providing amateur golfers with the platform to excel. We look forward to a great weekend of golf at Thika.”
The NCBA Winston Churchill Championship holds significant importance in Kenya’s amateur golf scene. Beyond the prestige of competing at such a high level, the tournament provides amateur golfers with an invaluable opportunity to gain competitive experience, refine their skills, and accumulate crucial ranking points. The challenging layout of Thika Sports Club will test the players’ abilities, ensuring a thrilling contest for the participants.
