NCBA Trans Nzoia Open Championship winner Geoffrey Karioki of Kisii Sports Club/HANDOUT

New champions will be crowned at this year’s NCBA Kiambu Open, set for Friday to Sunday at Kiambu Golf Club, following the exit of defending champions Michael Karanga and Naomi Wafula to the professional ranks.

The tournament, a key fixture on the Kenya Amateur Golf Circuit calendar, comes at a crucial stage of the season as players battle to improve their Order of Merit standings and compete for a share of the Sh500,000 prize purse.

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Karanga, winner of the last two editions, recently turned professional, while Wafula, who claimed the women’s title in 2023, also made the switch last year. Their absence leaves the field wide open, with Order of Merit leader Jay Sandhu emerging as one of the favourites.

The Muthaiga Golf Club golfer tops the standings with 560 points after victories at the NCBA Windsor Classic and NCBA Muthaiga Open. Junior golfer Junaid Manji, second on the rankings with 334 points, is also expected to challenge after a string of consistent performances this season.

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Elvis Muigua of Ndumberi Golf Club is another player tipped to contend for the title. The Kiambu Open follows last month’s NCBA Trans Nzoia Open Championship, where Geoffrey Karioki of Kisii Sports Club clinched victory after rounds of 79, 71 and 75.

Meanwhile, the NCBA Golf Series heads to Eldoret Golf Club this weekend, with golfers from the North Rift region competing for qualification spots to the Grand Finale at Karen Country Club in November.

The Eldoret leg will also feature a JCB Backhoe Loader hole-in-one prize sponsored by JCB GanatraAttachment.png at a designated par-three hole.

NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora said the tournaments continue to play an important role in developing the sport. “As we approach the midpoint of the amateur golf circuit, events like the NCBA Kiambu Open continue to play a key role in shaping the competition and allowing players to rise through the ranks. At the same time, the NCBA Golf Series allows us to engage golfers across the country, as we will see this weekend in Eldoret,” said Gachora.

“Together, these platforms are important in growing the game, supporting talent, and strengthening the golfing community,” he added.