By KPC Sports Reporter
The 2026 NCBA Golf Series returns to Karen Country Club this weekend for its 16th qualifying leg, with more than 200 golfers expected to tee off on Saturday in a high-stakes contest for places at the season-ending Grand Finale.
Golfers will battle for top honours and coveted qualification slots to the NCBA Golf Series Grand Finale, which will also be hosted at Karen Country Club in November.
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The series has continued to draw strong participation from golfers across the country, offering club players a pathway to the prestigious finale that brings together winners and standout performers from qualifying events held throughout the year.
As the club golfers take centre stage in Karen, attention on the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) circuit shifts to Kakamega Sports Club, where the NCBA Goldfields Trophy will be played from Friday to Sunday.
The three-day tournament has attracted a competitive field of 66 golfers from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi, all vying for the title, crucial KAGC Order of Merit points and a share of the KSh500,000 prize purse.
Leading the Kenyan charge will be Kiambu Open champion John Kamaisi, NCBA Ronald Marshall & Toby Gibson Matchplay winner Elvis Muigua, Golf Park’s Josphat Rono, Amos Odongo, Ken Serem and local favourite Cedric Konzolo.
The regional challenge will be spearheaded by a strong Rwandan contingent featuring Hitayezu Jean D’Amour, Felix Dusabe, Alain Niyonkuru and Jacques Byiringiro. Uganda will field Abraham Olupot, Robert Masaba, Ben Okanya and Lawrence Okwii, while Burundi’s hopes rest on Salum Nkurunziza.
This year’s Goldfields Trophy is guaranteed to crown a new champion following the departure of two-time winner John Lejirma to the professional ranks earlier this year.
Lejirma dominated the tournament in 2024 and 2025 before making the transition to professional golf.
The event comes on the heels of last week’s NCBA Ruiru Open, where Muthaiga Golf Club’s Eugene Wafula captured his maiden KAGC title.
Wafula carded a tournament total of two-under-par 217 to edge John Kamaisi by a single stroke in a closely fought contest.
Speaking ahead of the busy golfing weekend, NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora said the two events reflect the growing strength and depth of golf in Kenya.
“This weekend highlights the diversity of golf development in Kenya. While the NCBA Golf Series continues to provide club golfers with opportunities to compete and qualify for the Grand Finale, the NCBA Goldfields Trophy offers some of the region’s leading amateur golfers a platform to compete for ranking points and further their development,” said Gachora.
“We are encouraged by the continued growth in participation across both circuits and remain committed to supporting the game across all levels.”
