News

The Kenya Golf Union releases the 2024 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) calendar with an additional event and a change in the ranking points system.
27 events have been lined up for next year as the KAGC series enters the 2nd year with prize money for the amateurs as per the rules of golf (Amateur Status). The KAGC series offers a platform for ranking amateurs both locally and for World Amateur Golf Ranking.
In a statement, the Kenya Golf Union Chairman Mr. Philip Ochola mentioned that the 2023 season had been very successful thanks to the title sponsor NCBA bank who supported all events with the prize money. “We are proud as a Union to have our golfers earn a living out of playing golf and we do hope that in future, there will be more collaborations with sponsors to increase the purse and make the series even more attractive”. For the first time this year, a Kenyan (Michael Karanga) broke into the 100th Mark in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, this is a clear indication that indeed golf is developing and positive strides are being made by all related stakeholders towards transforming golf in the country.
The 2024 season will see the revival of Diani Beach Masters which shall be hosted by Diamond Leisure lodge golf resort in the Coast Region from 18th-20th October 2024. “We happily welcome the event back to the calendar as this is an additional platform to get our top amateurs to compete for the prize money and ranking points” Mr. David Ndung’u –The Tournaments Director.
As a norm, the series will kick off at Sigona Golf Club for the Annual Sigona Bowl Tournament on the 26th-28th January 2024, the KGU-owned events have been scheduled as follows; Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship- 11th-14th July 2024 at Sigona Golf Club and the Kenya Amateur Strokeplay Championship -1st-4th August 2024 at Nyali Golf & Country Club. “For next year, we will use a tiered points system to award KAGC points, based on the strength of the field that each event attracts, The events will be categorized in to 3 tiers.” Added Mr. Ndung’u.

KENYA TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORLD INTERNATIONAL PAIRS
Kenya will for the third time participate the world international Pairs Finale scheduled to take place from the 6th to the 10th of November 2023. This highly-regarded tournament will be hosted at the Royal Obidos Spa & Golf Resort in Portugal:
The following golfers earned the honor of representing Kenya in the prestigious International Pairs competition after topping in the local finale held on 1st September 2023 at Windsor Golf Club.
1. Anthony Korir & Sammy Chepkwony – Home Club: Kericho Club
2. Ignatius Ngetich & Joel Chebon – Home Club: Kericho Club
3. Nelson Koech & Isaac Kuto Home Club: Nandi Bears Club
The team will be accompanied by the KGU chairman Mr. Philip Ochola.
“These golfers have demonstrated outstanding skills and a deep commitment to the sport. They have successfully qualified for the International Pairs competition, where they will represent Kenya and compete on an international stage. We have high expectations for their performance and are confident that they will make Kenya proud.” Said Mr. Philip Ochola , KGU chairman
“The International Pairs competition is renowned for its high level of competition and sportsmanship, and we are excited to see our Kenyan representatives excel in this challenging event”.he added

Since the start of the series in 2019, seven pairs have participated in the fully paid trip to the World Grand Finale.
Mike Karanga and Steve Kiaro, James Kamenchu and Anthony Murage, and Bhamra Bilu and Romy Sandhu, participated in the finals in 2019 at Penina Golf Resort, Portugal.
In 2022, Saawan Shah and Jay Varia, Chand Shah and Kush Shah, Julius Rono and Eric Mutai, and Steve Kiaro and David Gitao, participated in the finals at La Cala Golf Resort, Spain.

About Local Qualifying Rounds
The Union invites golfers across the country to participate and the top 5 pairs meet at a grand finale tournament. The top 3 pairs from the grand finale get a fully paid sponsorship to participate in the World International pairs finals in Portugal.
About International Pairs
The International Pairs is the World’s Largest Golf Tournament. Local, regional and national tournaments are organized and promoted by licensed partners around the globe.
The top national teams represent their country or territory at the World Final for the chance to be crowned World Champions.

In a remarkable display of talent, determination, and unwavering teamwork, Thika Sports Club has secured their second consecutive championship in the 2023 Nairobi District League.

Under the skilled leadership of Captain Chris Mwandwa ,Thika Sports Club displayed remarkable consistency in their performance, keeping their supporters on the edge of their seats with thrilling matches. Their unwavering dedication and continuous improvement have undoubtedly paved the way for their outstanding success.

Media Links
https://nation.africa/kenya/sports/golf/thika-sports-club-inch-closer-to-nairobi-league-title-4380842

Kenya Golf Union is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the three-day Tournament Administration and Rules Seminar, which took place from 24th to 26th October 2023at Windsor Golf and Country Club. The event, which attracted a total of 65 participants, aimed to provide valuable insights and knowledge in the field of golf administration and rules.

Throughout the seminar, participants engaged in a comprehensive program that covered various aspects of golf administration and rules, including tournament logistics, rule enforcement, and the intricacies of managing golf events. Renowned experts and professionals in the golf industry led the sessions, ensuring that attendees received the most up-to-date information and practical insights.

The knowledge and experience gained during this seminar will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the professional growth and development of all who attended. Participants now possess a solid understanding of the latest rules and best practices in golf administration, which will significantly contribute to the successful management of golf events in Kenya and other participating countries.

Media Links

The Kenya Golf Union launched a partnership with the Brookhurst School to have golf implemented as a sport in the school. The event was held at Brookhurst School-Kiserian Campus and was attended by students and officials from the school, Kenya Golf Union and Junior Golf Foundation officials.

The KGU Chairman-Mr Philip Ochola-speaking during the event thanked Brookhurst School for the great decision and to encouraged other schools to emulate. “We believe that the youth/ juniors represent the future of our beloved sport, it is therefore imperative that we provide them with the necessary resources, mentorship and opportunities to thrive. KGU has partnered with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) and signed an MOU that intends to introduce golf in schools as one way of demystifying and developing this game.”

The director of the school, Prof Ruth Waweru, noted that the partnership is very much in line with the core principles of the school that include academic excellence, sports and talent development. “The school has produced exceptional students in academics and extra-curricular activities and the introduction of golf is a great step for the school.”

The JGF President-Regina Gachora- stressed the importance of nurturing talents from an early age and the opportunities that are available for juniors. “For Golf in schools to succeed, it is important for the students to be members of Junior Golf Foundation that grants them access to all golf clubs affiliated to the Kenya Golf Union. The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts recently launched the Talanta Hela Initiative which promotes talents whether in sports or the arts. Your talent can open scholarship opportunities for you and can even be monetized,” she said. The students also got an opportunity to hit some golf balls as guided by the veteran golf professionals, Rose Naliaka and Jacob Okello and were greatly excited on the prospects of taking up the sport.

Kiambu Golf Club’s Michael Karanga Sunday won the Railway Invitation tournament with a three rounds total of four under 212 gross at the par 72 Kenya Railway Golf Club course.

He posted an impressive six under par 66 with a three rounds total of four under 212 gross. Playing with home player John Lejrmah in the final round, he set off well for the day, picking up two straight birdies in the first two holes.

Karanga now leads the KAGC series with a total of 534.4 points, well ahead of Lejirmah who earned 56 points for his second place for a total of 319 points

The Kenya Golf Union (KGU) has named six amateur golfers who will participate in this year’s Magical Kenya Open to be held at Muthaiga Golf Club from March 9 to 12.

The names were announced on Sunday at Sigona Golf Club after the conclusion of the 64th Sigona Bowl tournament, the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) season opener.

Releasing the names, KGU chairman Njani Ndiritu said the team will travel to South Africa for special training and participate in some tournaments.

Leading the team is national team captain Dennis Maara of Limuru Country Club, who qualified for the DP World Tour Magical Kenya after winning the Kenya Amateur Match Play Championship at Royal Nairobi Golf Club last year after beating Muthaiga’s Jay Sandhu in the final.

Others are John Lejirmah from Kenya Ralway Golf Club, Jay Sandhu of Muthaiga, Njoroge Kibugu and Daniel Kiragu from Muthaiga and Nyali Golf and Country Club’s Adel Balala.

Lejirmah won the Kenya Amateur Open Stroke Play Championship at Vipingo Ridge Kilifi, and ended the 2022 season as the top amateur golfer.

Njoroge Kibugu earned his place in the Open by virtue of been the only Kenyan golfer who made the cut during last year’s Open, while Kiragu and Balala qualified through their positions in the order of Merit.

Defending champion Adel Balala beat Kenya Amateur StrokePlay Champion John Lejirmah of Kenya Railway Golf Club by four shots, to retain the Nyali Open golf title at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club course Mombasa on Sunday.

The Nyali player Balala, who has not been in his great form over the past three months, shot a 54-hole total of one over par 214, to keep the trophy at home. Lejirmah had posted 218 gross to finish second, with William Odeck on 219 coming home third, while Golf Park’s Sammy Mulama on 221 was fourth.

John Lejirmah is the country’s best amateur golfer after accumulating a total of 594 points. He was awarded the trophy for being the best Kenya Amateur player with an average lowest gross score of 71.85 per round.

Lejirma was named after the final event of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship Event – Nyali Open