NCBA Kenya Amateur match play championship set to kick off at Windsor

Defending Champion Michael Karanga. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

The 102nd NCBA Kenya Amateur Match Play Championship, sanctioned by the Kenya Golf Union (KGU), will commence from Thursday, July 11^th, to Sunday July 14^th, 2024 at the Windsor Golf and Country Club in Nairobi.

This esteemed event has drawn a diverse field of 78 players from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, United Kingdom, India, and South Africa.

Defending champion Michael Karanga is set to defend his title amidst tough competition from top amateur golfers across the region and beyond.

He is expected to battle with among others Kenya’s current top leader in the Kenya Amateur Golf Series Championship (KAGC) series John Lejirmah, Nyali’s Adel Balala, and teenager Elvis Muigua.

The championship will follow a rigorous format starting with Stroke Play on day one played over 36 holes, where all participants will battle for a spot in the subsequent Match Play rounds.

Kenya Amateur Match Play Championship is exclusively open to male participants this year, and therefore, female competitors will not be taking part in this weekend's tournament and the winner of this event will have an automatic slot to play in the 2025 Magical Kenya Open.

KGU Tournament Director Chris Kinuthia said they are immensely grateful to NCBA for their steadfast support in providing a platform where our elite amateurs can thrive and potentially earn a livelihood.

“Additionally, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Windsor Golf and Country Club for graciously hosting this prestigious event over the next four days, “said Kinuthia.

The NCBA Kenya Amateur Match Play Championship promises thrilling competition and a showcase of top-tier golfing talent, affirming its position as a cornerstone event in the regional amateur golfing calendar.

NCBA Group is a full-service banking group providing a broad range of financial products and services to corporate, institutional, SME, and consumer banking customers and operates a network of more than 100 branches in five countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ivory Coast.

Serving over 60 million customers, the NCBA Group is the largest banking group in Africa by customer numbers and is Kenya's third-largest bank by assets.

The Bank is set to play a key role in supporting Africa's economic ambitions and is a market leader in Corporate Banking, Asset Finance, and Digital Banking.