KCB East Africa Golf Tour moves to Machakos

Sea-Link Mombasa’s Petronillah Kale. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

The nine hole Machakos County Cub Course in Machakos County will this Saturday be the center for action where over 100 golfers ae expected to display their skills and talents.

This will be in the 17th leg of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour which will see the much-awaited tourney get underway from 6:30 am to brave the greens for a competitive outing.

Apart from sterling prizes lined up for the winners, the players will seek for qualifications in which the top two teams will book a slot in the tour’s grand finale slated for December 6, 2024.

Club Captain Stephen Musyoka confirmed the course is in a good shape and the fairways are wide enough to allow the players to enjoy themselves.

“I appreciate KCB for always thinking about us in their series, this shows that they believe in our capacity to host a successful tournament. We look forward to Saturday and cannot wait to see the overall winners, “said Musyoka.

KCB Group Director Marketing and Communications Rosalind Gichuru noted that this is the second year running visiting the Club and committed to grow the game.

“Our involvement in the Sport is not only aimed at giving Golfers an opportunity to play but also, expanding the game to ensure that everyone enjoys and becomes part of our series and We are looking forward to hosting the players in an amazing outing,” said Gichuru.

The latest entries to the grand finale party includes Jeff Muthoki, Winston Kirimi, Kevin Kabugi, Ian Kirimi, Gabriel Miungi, Captain Anthony Rukwaro, James Warui and Rama Maulid who qualified after their impressive performance at the Nanyuki leg of the series a fortnight ago.

In addition, the Club that produces the overall winners will receive a KShs. 1 million cash prizes geared towards a sustainability initiative that they are currently undertaking.

To further sweeten the competition, the Bank has partnered with Beulah City Ltd, a property f Beulah City Ltd, a property firm, to give an apartment valued at KShs. 2.1 million as the “hole in one” prize for every event during the 2024 tour.

Elsewhere at the Malindi Country Club Course in Kilifi County, it’s all systems go for the “Vasco Da Gama” Cup in this year’s 3^rd, Malindi golf tournament running from friday,20^th to Sunday,22^nd September.

The three-day 54-hole stroke play Championship has drawn the Amateurs from across the Country where the players will play in the first two rounds after which the top 33 and ties will make the cut to the final round to be played on Sunday.

Among the top contenders are Kenya's number one Golfer and also the defending Champion for the event Michael Karanga from Kiambu Golf Club, Lejirma from Railway Golf Club and William Odeck from Nyali Golf Club.

The total prize money for the tournament is Ksh 520,000 with the winner set to take home Ksh 130,000 and the event will also count towards the World Amateur Ranking Golf (WARG).

Kenya Golf Union Chairman (KGU) Chairman David Ndungu extended their heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors who have come on board to support this event, particularly the main sponsor, NCBA Bank, for their continued commitment to this year’s series with others being I-sal, Jambo Jet, and Kilifi County Government for their invaluable support.

NCBA Group Managing Director, John Gachora, said they are thrilled to have reached this point in the Kenya Amateur Golf Series and take immense pride in being part of these events that brings together the best Amateur Golfers from across the region for friendly yet highly competitive tournaments.

“So far, the events have been exceptional, with outstanding performances all around. We look forward to an exciting tournament in Malindi, which is not only known for its beauty but also for its passionate Golfing community,” said Gachora.

This event follows the 2024 Nyanza Open ‘Hippo Pot’ tournament held 6^th-8th September at the Nyanza Golf Club that was claimed by John Kamais of Nakuru Golf Club in a gripping three-day tournament dethroning defending champion and National team Captain John Lejirma of Kenya Railways Golf Club.