-This after edging out series leader John Lejirma in a dramatic sudden-death play-off and was awarded ksh. 120,000 from the ksh. 580,000 share prize purse and Lejirma crowned golfer of the year.
-This tournament was the conclusion of the 2025 Kenya Amateur Golf Champion (KAGC) competitive season played in a three days 54-hole stroke-play championship from Friday.
-The Kenya Golf Union (KGU), together with Nyali Golf & Country Club and title sponsor NCBA, congratulates all players, winners and partners for delivering a successful 2025 edition of the Nyali Open.
-The 2026 calendar is already out and will feature 33 events following the addition of the Ulinzi Open set to be held at the Kenya Air Force Golf Club in March and the Machakos Open scheduled for April.
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS.
Home player William Odeck clinched the NCBA 2025 Nyali Open Championship title after edging out this year’s Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series leader John Lejirma in a dramatic three‑hole aggregate with a sudden‑death playoff at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club Course in Mombasa County on Sunday.
Both players had tied on four over par 217 gross after three rounds, forcing the playoff that was only decided on the third extra sudden‑death trip down the 18th hole.
After the pair matched each other shot‑for‑shot on the 18th twice, the turning point came when Lejirma pulled his tee shot left behind the bunker as he went for the flag, breaking from his earlier conservative strategy of aiming for the center of the green.
Odeck held his nerve, found the middle of the putting surface, and calmly secured his par as Lejirma bogeyed, ending the defending champion’s reign at Nyali.
Odeck’s final round was a roller‑coaster, starting brightly with a birdie at the 2nd before dropping shots at the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th.
An eagle on the 11th, however, swung the momentum back in his favor and kept him in front until Lejirma drew level on the 17th, setting up the playoff.
Odeck’s efforts was also awarded the top prize money of Ksh. 120,000 from a share of the Ksh. 580,000 prize kitty purse.
“I started out well with a par. Followed by a birdie but a series of bogeys followed but after getting an eagle on the 13th, I knew I had to hold steady and maintain it that way, which is what I did. The play-off against Lejirma was intense, but I am happy to have come out on top. This is an incredible feeling and I’m absolutely thrilled to have won this Championship at home course against such a strong field. I want to thank my team, my family, and my supporters for their unwavering support and this win is for all of you. Our course at Nyali has always been a challenge, but I prepared well and stayed focused throughout the three days. I’m so proud of how I played today, and I’m grateful for the experience. Thank you again to the NCBA and everyone involved in hosting this tournament. It’s been an absolute pleasure competing here, and I’m already looking forward to next year,” Odeck.
Despite narrowly missing out on the title, John Lejirma of Royal Nairobi Club delivered another standout performance, earning the Lowest Gross Score of the tournament.
His consistent form throughout the season was further recognized as he was crowned the 2025 KAGC Amateur top player of the year, underlining his status as one of the country’s leading amateur golfers.
During the final round at, Lejirma endured a rough start that included a triple bogey at the 4th, but showed his class with birdies at the 9th, 11th, 13th, and 17th to haul himself back into contention.
“It has been a good long year full of lessons not just for me but also for everyone who walked the journey with me. I look forward to playing the Magical Kenya Open next but I will just keep it simple and trust my swing,” said Lejirma.
Nakuru’s John Kamais played a course record of seven under par 64 gross on Saturday to lead heading to the last round but a double bogey on the fourth followed by five more bogeys on the 7th, 8th, 10th, 12th, and 16th saw him drop to third at the end of round three.
Njoro Country Club’s Mercy Nyanchama had a decent outing as well, playing rounds of 73, 75, and 73 for a total score of eight over par 221 gross to finish fourth with Rwanda’s Felix Dusabe and Kiambu’s Michael Karanga tied for fifth having played a stroke more.
Club Captain Omar Lewa thanked everyone who participated saying their sportsmanship and camaraderie was an absolute pleasure watching all compete.
“It has been an incredible tournament and I’m so proud of the way it all ended successfully. To the winners, your hard work and dedication have paid off, and we couldn’t be happier for you. Let’s celebrate this fantastic achievement and make this tournament a memorable to remember,” said Lewa.
NCBA Group Director, Marketing, Communications & Citizenship, Nelly Wainaina, hailed the level of golf on display and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to the Series.
“Today we were treated to a spectacular round of Golf by Odeck, Lejirma, and Kamais. The play-off between Odeck and Lejirma was even more intense and that is why we support this series, so that we can get to witness such kind of play. This is our third year supporting the KAGC Series and we will continue doing so to ensure the amateurs have not just a platform to play but also get to earn a living out of it,” she said.
This tournament was the conclusion of the 2025 Kenya Amateur Golf Champion (KAGC) competitive season played in a three days 54-hole stroke-play championship from Friday.
A large field of 115 strongest field of elite Amateurs from across Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Zimbabwe graced he tournament before a cut on Saturday where the top 33 players and ties advanced to the final rounds.
This tournament sealed off the 39th edition of Kenya Golf Union (KGU) NCBA supported calendar series which started with the Nairobi foursomes at Muthaiga Golf Club in January.
The Nyali championship once again lived up to its reputation for excellence, with strong participation, competitive scoring, and high-quality course conditions challenging players across all three rounds.
In recognition of outstanding contributions to the game, Golf Park was named Club of the Year, a testament to its continued commitment to Golf development, player support and the growth of the sport in Kenya.
The Kenya Golf Union (KGU), together with Nyali Golf & Country Club and title sponsor NCBA, congratulates all players, winners and partners for delivering a successful 2025 edition of the Nyali Open.
The tournament remains a key fixture on the amateur golf calendar, continuing to provide a platform for emerging and elite talent within the Kenyan golfing landscape
The 2026 calendar is already out and will feature 33 events following the addition of the Ulinzi Open set to be held at the Kenya Air Force Golf Club in March and the Machakos Open scheduled for April.
NYALI OPEN 2025 TOP TEN LEADERS AND TIES.
William Odek-Nyali Golf & Country Club-71-73-73-217 gross, John Lejirma-Royal Nairobi Golf Club-72-72-73-217 gross, John Kamaisi (Nakuru Golf Club)-79-64-76-219 gross, Mercy Nyanchma (Njoro Country Club)-73-75-73-221 gross, Felix Dusabe (Kigali golf resort and villas)-75-76-71-222 gross, Michael Karanga (Kiambu Golf Club)-74-78-70-222 gross, Sammy Mulama (Golf Park Golf Club)-75-74-74-223 gross, Gathogo Kaguta (Nyali Golf & Country Club)-73-77-73-223 gross, Josphat Rono (Golf Park Golf Club)-72-75-76-223 gross, Alex- Mwangi (Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club)-76-74-74-224 gross.
TOP TEN KAGC 2025 PLAYER RANKING AFTER NYALI OPEN.
John Lejirma-2130 points, Michael Karanga-1887 points, Elvis Muigua-1393 points, Isaac Makokha-1052 points, Ebill Omollo-715 points, Daniel Kiragu-678 points, Sammy Mulama-589 points, Jay Sandhu-543 points, Pranay Kapur-520 points, Adel Taufiq Balala-508 points.
TOP TEN 2025 KAGC MONEY LIST.
John Lejirma (Royal Nairobi Golf Club)-Ksh.1,680,708.33, Elvis Muigua (Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club)-Ksh.1,172,350.00, Michael Karanga (Kiambu Golf Club)-Ksh.873,841.67, Isaac Makokha (Kenya Railway Golf Club)-Ksh.626,360.00, Sammy Mulama (Golf Park Golf Club)-Ksh.601,165.83, Josphat Rono (Golf Park Golf Club)-ksh.549,090.42, Daniel Kiragu (Muthaiga Golf Club)-Ksh.487,973.33, Ebill Omollo (Vet Lab Sports Club)-Ksh.431,661.67, John Kamaisi (Nakuru Golf Club)-ksh.390,110.83, Elly Barno (Nandi Bears Club)-Ksh.340,483.33.
ENDS.
KINDLY ADVERTISE WITH US.
FOR YOUR GOLF/SPORTS/BUSINESS/ENVIRONMENT/HEALTH/OPINIONS/SPONSORED CONTENTS OR BUSINESS PROMO,
CONTACT US.
mmaarufu@gmail.com.
golfnewslinks@gmail.com.
Phone/What’s up…+254726614604.
+254722415598.
