-Representing Vet Lab Sports Club, the Rwandese held his nerve to win Kenya’s most prestigious amateur Title with a 1-under-Par Masterclass that seals unforgettable Manchester Salver finale.
-Eldoret Club proved once again why it is one of the finest championship venues in the country, a beautiful course, a warm welcome, and a perfect stage for great golf.
-KGU acknowledged the continued support of NCBA Bank, whose partnership helps sustain competitive amateur golf and strengthen the tournament calendar across the country.
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS.
Eldoret Club has seen many great battles, but on Sunday, it witnessed something truly special, a champion’s performance that will be talked about for years, as Jean D’Amour Hitayezu is the new king of Kenyan amateur golf.
The Rwandan star, representing Vet Lab Sports Club, produced a magnificent three-day masterclass to be crowned the 2026 NCBA Manchester Salver Champion, finishing on a winning total of 212 gross, 1 1 under-par and lifting one of the most coveted titles in the country.
This was not luck, this was not a fluke, this was pure class, composure, and championship golf from start to finish.
Great champions are not made in one round, they are made over 54 holes of pressure, patience, and belief and Hitayezu ticked every box.
He opened the championship with a solid, steady round of 72 gross, calm, controlled, full of intent, and was not chasing the leaderboard, He was building his foundation.
Then came day two, the day that changed everything and with the sun shining over Eldoret and the pressure rising, Hitayezu exploded into life with a sensational round of 68 gross, the round of the tournament, with birdies flowed, putts dropped, and suddenly the whole field knew, this man had come to win.
That magical shot firmly him into contention and gave him the perfect platform heading into the final day and it was the kind of round that separates contenders from champions.
And on the final day, when many would have crumbled, Hitayezu stood tallest and with the title on the line and every eye in Eldoret watching, he returned a brave, brilliant final-round of 72 gross to close the tournament at one-under-par and seal a memorable, fully-deserved victory.
As he lifted the famous Salver, an emotional Hitayezu could not hide his joy, saying, “I am incredibly happy and grateful to have won the NCBA Manchester Salver. It has been three memorable days of competition, and I am proud of the way I stayed focused and trusted my game throughout the championship. The second round was particularly important in putting me in a strong position heading into the final day. I would like to thank NCBA, the KGU and Eldoret Club for putting together such a wonderful tournament, as well as everyone who supported and encouraged me along the way. This victory means a lot to me, and I look forward to building on this achievement.”
And those are the words of a champion who knows this is just the beginning.
Behind him, the battle for glory was fierce, dramatic, and full of twists, as Jacques Byiringiro of Limuru Country Club pushed him all the way, finishing a brilliant second on 215 gross, 2 over-par, just three shots behind the champion and it was a performance full of heart and fight, and proof that Limuru continues to produce top-class talent.
Tied for third on 216 gross, 3-over-par each, were two stars who lit up the leaderboard in their own way, Kamoza Longwe of Royal Nairobi Golf Club and John Kamaisi of Nakuru Golf Club, both refused to give up, both played fearless golf, and both left Eldoret with their heads held high.
The drama did not stop there, as tied for fifth on 219 gross, 6 over-par, were Felix Dusabe of Limuru Country Club and Rafael Leming’ani of Ruiru Sports Club, two more names who thrilled the galleries with bold, attacking golf.
Geoffrey Karioki of Kisii Sports Club finished seventh on 222 gross, 9 over-par, while Eugine Wafula of Muthaiga Golf Club claimed eighth with 224 gross, 11 over-par.
Daniel Mwangi of Nanyuki Sports Club finished ninth on 225 gross, 12 over-par, before a thrilling three-way tie for tenth.
Milton Ambunya of host club Eldoret Club, Sylvester Etaan of Golf Park Golf Club, and Cedric Konzolo of Kakamega Sports Club all closed on 226 gross each, 13-over-par, to share tenth place and send the home crowd into loud applause.
From Kisii to Kakamega, from Nanyuki to Nakuru, from Nairobi to Limuru, this was truly a national championship.
The 2026 NCBA Manchester Salver was more than just scores and leaderboards, it was a celebration of everything that makes Kenyan golf beautiful.
Players from different clubs, different backgrounds, and different countries converged on Eldoret Club united by one love, ‘golf.’
Hitayezu’s triumph highlights the growing competitiveness and international diversity of Kenya’s amateur circuit, the game is growing, the standard is rising and the future is bright.
And Eldoret Club proved once again why it is one of the finest championship venues in the country, a beautiful course, a warm welcome, and a perfect stage for great golf.
The Kenya Golf Union acknowledged the continued support of NCBA Bank, whose partnership helps sustain competitive amateur golf and strengthen the tournament calendar across the country.
Appreciation was also extended to Eldoret Club, the participating golfers, officials, volunteers, and the wider golfing community, the unsung heroes who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the championship a success.
With Jean D’Amour Hitayezu taking the honors, the NCBA Manchester Salver 2026 closes another exciting chapter in Kenya’s competitive golf calendar.
But the story does not end here, the focus now shifts to the next stop on the national golf circuit, where new stars will rise, new battles will be fought and the race for glory will begin all over again.
For Hitayezu, the mission is clear, ‘build on this achievement, keep trusting his game, and keep chasing greatness.’
For Kenyan golf, the message is loud and clear, ‘the standard has been set, 1-under-par, 212 gross, and a champion from Rwanda who conquered Eldoret with class.
Eldoret will remember this one for a long time that, the Manchester Salver has a new champion, his name is Jean D’Amour Hitayezu, and he earned every bit of it.
ENDS.
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