-The Golf Park ace fired 217 gross to lift the Vasco Da Gama Cup as defending champion Muigua of Windsor ties third with Nyali’s William Odeck.
-Club Captain Sifa Dena said the course delivered and hosting top amateurs is a statement that coastal golf is back after low tourism seasons while Club Chairman Bilal Chaudhri said the Club worked for months to deliver a championship worthy of its history.
-The KAGC caravan now moves to Kwale County for the Diani Beach Masters at Diamond Leisure Golf Resort in South Coast of Mombasa set for September 18th, to 20th.
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS.
Golf Park Golf Club’s Josphat Rono is the new champion of the 2026 NCBA Malindi Open, ‘Vasco Da Gama Cup’ after braving swirling sea breeze, tight fairways and lightning greens to close with a three-round total of 217 gross at the par-70 Malindi Golf & Country Club in Kilifi County on Sunday.
The tournament is part of the ongoing leg of the 2025/2026 NCBA Golf Series organized by Kenya Golf Union (KGU), that proved a true test of coastal golf, with strong sea breezes from the Indian Ocean, firm fairways and tricky Paspalum greens at the historic 1960-founded 9-hole course.
Rono, who started the final day three shots off the lead after rounds of 76 and 74, tamed the Baobab-lined course and the coastal winds with a flawless back nine, to outclass a strong field of 86 players and claim the top prize of Ksh. 127,200 from the Ksh. 550,000 purse.
“Today my caddy helped a lot on some challenging holes, because this course is very tricky. The wind changes every hour, the greens are small and fast, and if you miss the fairway you are in the bush. I told myself to be patient, hit fairways and let the putter do the work and improve my course management. I am very grateful to NCBA, KGU and my Club Golf Park for their support. This win gives me great confidence for the remaining KAGC legs,” said Rono.
Overnight leader Alex Mwangi of Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, who had opened with a brilliant 70 to lead round one, could not hold off Rono’s surge.
Mwangi returned 75 gross in round two and 75 gross in the final round for a total of 220 gross, finishing three shots behind in second place to take home Ksh. 76,300.
Defending champion Elvis Muigua of Windsor, bidding for back-to-back Vasco Da Gama titles, had to settle for a tie for third place after closing on 222 gross with Nyali Golf and Country Club’s William Odek, and the two each pocketed Ksh. 44,550.
The 54-hole championship is part of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series organized by the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) and title sponsored by NCBA Bank.
It attracted over 100 elite amateurs with handicap 18 and below from across Kenya at the Malindi course, that proved its bite all weekend, featuring a 9-hole layout established in 1962 and plays as 18 with alternate tees through hulking dunes, six par-3s and four par-5s.
Club Captain Sifa Dena said the Course delivered and hosting top amateurs is a statement that coastal golf is back after low tourism seasons.
“The sea breeze behaved, the surrounding baobab trees stood tall and the greens rolled true. We worked hard with our greenkeeper to ensure the course met KAGC and WAGR standards. The players and guests’ presence showed beds in hotels, Tuk Tuks, curio shops and the whole Malindi economy benefited. I want to thank the NCBA Bank, KGU, Kilifi County Government and our members. Our dream is for a local to bring the Cup home one day, Joseph Sulubu with others here tried but next year we will be even stronger. This tournament is not just about competition, it is about building friendships, strengthening the golfing community and showing the world that Malindi is more than beach, it is golf, history and the Vasco Da Gama Pillar itself,” said Captain Dena.
Club Chairman Bilal Chaudhri said the Club has worked for months to deliver a championship worthy of its history.
“The Vasco Da Gama Cup is not just another leg of the KAGC Series, it is our identity. We have invested in our fairways, our greens and our hospitality. This year again under the NCBA umbrella with support from Kenya’s top amateurs, we proved to the entire Country that Malindi can deliver a national championship with coastal warmth. We thank NCBA Bank for taking golf beyond Nairobi. this was indeed a memorable weekend in Malindi.The tournament is in fact a journey back to 1498, when Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama landed in Malindi, erected the coral pillar that still watches over the Indian Ocean, and found a guide to India. That spirit of navigation is what the Cup celebrates.” said Chaudhri.
The tournament is now in its fourth edition since its revival in 2022 and is a KAGC event played on a true links-style sea-level course.
The KAGC caravan now moves to Kwale County for the Diani Beach Masters at Diamond Leisure Golf Resort in South Coast of Mombasa set for September 18th, to 20th and the finals will be the Nyali Open at Nyali Golf & Country Club in Mombasa County later in December.
TOP TEN LEADERS, TIES & PRIZE MONEY.
Josphat Rono (Golf Park) 76-74-67-217 gross-Ksh. 127,200, Alex Mwangi (Windsor) 70-75-75-220 gross-Ksh. 76,300, Elvis Muigua (Windsor) 73-76-73-222 gross-Ksh. 44,550, William Odeck (Nyali) 73-75-74-222 gross-Ksh. 44,550, Isaac Makokha (Railway) 223 gross-Ksh. 30,500, Ebill Omollo (Vet Lab) 224 gross-Ksh. 25,400, Kaguta Gathogo (Nyali) 226 gross gross-Ksh. 22,900, W. Michael (Kiambu) 229 gross-Ksh. 18,425,
Elly Limo (Golf Park) 229 gross-Ksh. 18,425, F. Bukwo (Eldoret) 229 gross-Ksh. 18,425, John Koina (Muthaiga) 229 gross-Ksh. 18,425, Rafael Leming’ani (Ruiru) 230 gross-Ksh. 14,650, Wesley Kibet (Royal) 230-Ksh. 14,650, Sylvester Etaan (Golf Park) 231 gross-Ksh. 12,700, Dickson Barasa (Nyali) 232 gross-Ksh. 12,100.
ENDS.
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