All eyes on Nyanza Golf Club as 2024 Hippo Pot kicks off

The prestigious 2024 Nyanza Open, also known as "The Hippo Pot," is set to tee off from Friday at the scenic Nyanza Golf Club, situated on the shores of Lake Victoria.

This tournament, organized by the Kenya Golfing Union, is a cornerstone of the national amateur golf circuit, attracting elite talent from across East Africa and beyond.

The event promises to be a fiercely competitive three-day showdown featuring top amateur golfers vying for a share of the Sh1 million prize pool.

Since its inception in 1990, the Nyanza Open has grown in prestige, establishing itself as one of Kenya’s most coveted amateur tournaments.

Now in its 34th year, the event continues to draw players from the wider East African region, including nations like Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Its picturesque venue, overlooking Lake Victoria, provides the perfect backdrop for the event, blending the beauty of the location with the high-stakes nature of the competition.

The Hippo Pot’s international appeal and the attractive prize pool—one of the largest in amateur golf in the region—are key factors behind its success.

In the previous edition, defending champion John Lejirma from Kenya Railway Golf Club claimed his second title by narrowly defeating Uganda’s Geoffrey Nsubuga.

This year’s event will feature 60 of Kenya’s finest amateur golfers, along with their counterparts from the region.

Among them is John Lejirma, who returns to defend his title and cement his reputation as one of Kenya’s leading amateur golfers.

Lejirma, who holds a handicap of +0.1, will once again face stiff competition from regional heavyweights, including Uganda’s Kasozi Joseph (HCP 0.5) and Rwanda’s Felix Dusabe (HCP 1.4).

The first-round draw has set the stage for some exciting pairings. Kicking off at 8:00 AM on Hole 1 will be Cathedral Peak Golf Club’s Maurice Ochieng, alongside Benard Omondi of Ruiru Sports Club and Richard Chege from Kenya Railway Golf Club.

Other notable players include Kinyara Golf Club’s Kasozi Joseph and Nandi Bears’ Nelson Koech, set to tee off at 8:09 AM, and rising star Elvis Muigua of Kiambu Golf Club, boasting a handicap of 0.0, starting at 9:08 AM.

Lejirma is set to tee off at 12:35 PM, paired with Ameet Shah and David Omollo of Nyanza Golf Club. This pairing is highly anticipated, given Lejirma’s title defense and the formidable challenge posed by other top players.

The Hippo Pot wouldn’t be possible without the robust support of its sponsors, whose backing has elevated the event’s profile year after year.

Key sponsors for this edition include Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company Ltd, BuuPass Kenya Ltd, Kibos and Allied Sugar Company, Sarova Imperial, Morab Group, Jajamelo Pizza, Africa Inuka Hospitals, and V.I.P. Lounge.

This sponsorship underscores the event's role as not just a sporting spectacle but also a vital networking hub.

With its rich field of players and an audience featuring top professionals, industry leaders, and decision-makers from various sectors, the tournament presents an unparalleled opportunity for businesses to engage in regional and international B2B marketing.

As the tournament kicks off, the spotlight will be firmly on the defending champion, Lejirma, and his challengers, each of whom is eager to make their mark on this historic competition.

With three days of high-stakes golf ahead, the battle for the coveted Hippo Pot title is set to provide gripping action for fans and players alike.

The 2024 edition of The Hippo Pot promises to be an unforgettable event, combining top-tier golf with the beauty of Lake Victoria, and the rich tradition that has made it one of Kenya’s premier golfing tournaments.

First round draws for the NCBA Nyanza Open 'Hippo Pot'.

At 08:00 on Hole 1:

Maurice Ochieng (Kenya) - Cathedral Peak Golf Club, South Africa - HCP 13.1

Benard Omondi (Kenya) - Ruiru Sports Club - HCP 2.0

Richard Chege (Kenya) - Kenya Railway Golf Club - HCP 6.8

At 08:09 on Hole 1:

Maurice Oduor (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 16.9

Nelson Koech (Kenya) - Nandi Bears Club - HCP 4.1

Kasozi Joseph (Uganda) - Kinyara Golf Club - HCP 0.5

At 08:18 on Hole 1:

Derrick Obare (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 9.0

Thomas Oduor (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 7.4

Wesley Kibet (Kenya) - Golf Park Golf Club - HCP 5.4

At 08:27 on Hole 1:

Amos Odongo (Kenya) - Golf Park Golf Club - HCP 1.2

Edgar Brian (Kenya) - Nyali Golf & Country Club - HCP 3.7

Eliakim Maina (Kenya) - Ruiru Sports Club - HCP 3.5

At 08:36 on Hole 1:

Robert Odero (Kenya) - Golf Park Golf Club - HCP 3.2

Raphael Leming'ani (Kenya) - Golf Park Golf Club - HCP 2.7

Paul Otieno (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 13.9

At 08:50 on Hole 1:

William Odek (Kenya) - Nyali Golf & Country Club - HCP 1.2

John Michael (Kenya) - Golf Park Golf Club - HCP 5.4

Amrish Patel (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 15.1

At 08:59 on Hole 1:

John Kamais (Kenya) - Nakuru Golf Club - HCP 1.9

Patrick Abira (Kenya) - Golf Park Golf Club - HCP 8.5

Zadock Tanui (Kenya) - Nandi Bears Club - HCP 11.5

At 09:08 on Hole 1:

Griffin Owino (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 12.4

Elvis Muigua (Kenya) - Kiambu Golf Club - HCP 0.0

Joseph Atito (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 10.9

At 09:17 on Hole 1:

Kimeli Mutai (Kenya) - Nandi Bears Club - HCP 6.8

Dr. James Akhonya (Kenya) - Kakamega Sports Club - HCP 10.5

Zeddy Opura (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 4.8

At 09:26 on Hole 1:

Isaac Makokha (Kenya) - Kenya Railway Golf Club - HCP 0.4

Elly Barno (Kenya) - Nandi Bears Club - HCP 3.1

Dev Karia (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 17.9

At 11:45 on Hole 1:

Cedric Konzolo (Kenya) - Kakamega Sports Club - HCP 3.7

Steve Orinda (Kenya) - Vet Lab Sports Club - HCP 1.6

Brian Seurei (Kenya) - Nandi Bears Club - HCP 14.9

At 11:54 on Hole 1:

John Koina (Kenya) - Muthaiga Golf Club - HCP 1.1

Wycliffe Ayieda (Kenya) - Kisii Sports Club - HCP 11.6

Nishal Shah (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 9.4

At 12:03 on Hole 1:

Hardeep Rajput (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 9.4

Josphat Rono (Kenya) - Golf Park Golf Club - HCP +0.4

Julius Omollo (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 12.8

At 12:12 on Hole 1:

Tom Agumbi (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 14.3

Alain Niyonkuru (Rwanda) - Kigali Golf Resort & Villas - HCP 4.0

John Timbe (Kenya) - Nyali Golf & Country Club - HCP 3.4

At 12:21 on Hole 1:

Lucas Nyambogo (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 13.4

Edward Okumu (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 5.8

Aron Kitur (Kenya) - Eldoret Club - HCP 4.7

At 12:35 on Hole 1:

Ameet Shah (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 14.9

David Omollo (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 7.0

John Lejirma (Kenya) - Kenya Railway Golf Club - HCP +0.1

At 12:44 on Hole 1:

Julius Oketch (Kenya) - Kakamega Sports Club - HCP 9.1

Nyangaga Kaunda (Kenya) - Royal Nairobi Golf Club - HCP 7.5

Gentral Esto (Kenya) - Nakuru Golf Club - HCP 5.0

At 12:53 on Hole 1:

Sammy Mulama (Kenya) - Golf Park Golf Club - HCP 0.2

Nicholas Odhiambo (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 16.6

Ndindabahizi Didas (Rwanda) - Kigali Golf Resort & Villas - HCP 5.0

At 13:02 on Hole 1:

Vincent Owino (Kenya) - Nyanza Golf Club - HCP 14.2

Nicholas Michino (Kenya) - Golf Park Golf Club - HCP 5.4

Felix Dusabe (Rwanda) - Kigali Golf Resort & Villas - HCP 1.4