-Makokha leaves the Country this week, leading Team Kenya’s deaf Golf contingent to Tokyo’s 2025 Summer Deaflympics in Japan.
-Elsewhere, Senior Kabundi Victorious During Kiambu Golf Club Captain’s Prize as Muguima Exits.
-And three more golfers booked their slots for the upcoming 2025 NCBA Golf Series as the qualifying phase of the tournament came to an end over the weekend at the Nyahururu Golf Club.
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS.
Kenya’s deaf Golf sensation Isaack Makokha proved once again that disability is not inability after flooring an estimated 84 top leading regional Amateurs at the par-71 Eldoret Golf Club Course in the City of Champions over the weekend.
The Kenya Railways Golf Club player registered 5 overs for a total 218 gross to be crowned the Manchester Salver 2025 Champion in the three days 54 holes’ tournament where he also earned Ksh. 92,500 for the top prize.
Makokha’s consistency and calm, playing under pressure saw him rise above the strong field by starting day one on Friday with a 2 over par 73 gross, a 3 over par 74 gross on the second day and closed out with a composed final round on Sunday with a level par 71 gross to take the overall title trophy.
Makokha who is on a mission to turn his 2022 bronze medal from Brazil into Gold at the upcoming Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics, set for 15-26 November in Japan, leaves the Country this week, leading Team Kenya’s deaf golf contingent, which includes seasoned players Adan Wario, Gilbert Alikula, and rising teenage star Jacinta Njeri who makes her Deaflympics debut.
“I’m thrilled for this Eldoret victory and optimistic about converting that bronze from Brazil into Gold in Tokyo. I have been practicing well and my body feels great. Competing against top Golfers in recent tournaments has really sharpened my skills and I have also worked on my strength and flexibility and with this victory, I am confident about my game heading into Tokyo,” said Makokha.
This 2025 edition of the NCBA Manchester Salver Golf tournament that marked yet another thrilling stop in the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series was organized by the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) in its ongoing Calendar of events for this year where it featured a competitive field of elite Amateur Golfers from across the Country, all vying for top honors in one of Kenya’s most prestigious events.
Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club’s Elvis Muigua was among the top performers who showcased remarkable resilience to finish second among the event’s leading contenders with a steady performance of a 6 over par total of 219 gross (75-73-71) and earned Ksh. 55,500.00.
Rafael Leming’ani from Ruiru Sports Club brought a total of 222 gross (73-73-76) to claim the third slot for Ksh. 37,000.00 and Golf Park Golf Club’s Josphat Rono with a total of 224 gross (73-74-77) was fourth and pocketed Ksh. 27,700.00.
John Kamaisi (Nakuru Golf Club), Wesley Kibet (Royal Nairobi Golf Club), Milton Ambunya (Eldoret Club) and Amos Odongo (Golf Park Golf Club) found themselves sharing the fifth slot after rounding up with a total of 226 gross each and were individually awarded Ksh. 18,025.00
This NCBA Manchester Salver tournament was supported by NCBA Bank, in partnership with KGU, in its part of ongoing efforts to promote excellence, inclusivity and development within Kenyan Golf.
It was the 36th edition which is part of the ongoing KAGC Series Country wide that started with the Nairobi District foursomes at Muthaiga Golf Club in January and action now shifts to the Altitude Challenge tournament set for Nyahururu Golf Club from 21st to 23rd November.
The series will then move to Royal Nairobi Golf Club from 5th to 7th December for the Uhuru Shield before the final 39th Edition expected to wind up at Nyali Golf and Country Club course for the Nyali Open Championship where the Golfer of the Year (GOTY) 2025 Champion will be crowned.
NCBA Bank is one of East Africa’s leading financial institutions, offering a comprehensive range of Banking products and services to corporate, institutional, SME, and consumer clients.
Operating across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ivory Coast, the Bank serves over 60 million customers and stands as Kenya’s third-largest bank by assets, with market leadership in Corporate Banking, Asset Finance, and Digital Banking.
Beyond financial services, NCBA is a strong advocate for community and talent development through initiatives such as the NCBA Golf Series, a premier nationwide tournament that promotes sporting excellence, inclusivity, and youth empowerment. This commitment reflects NCBA’s broader vision of enabling growth and transformation across the region.
Founded in 1928, the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) is the governing body of amateur golf in Kenya, mandated to grow, regulate, and promote the game across the country. KGU organizes national championships, manages the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series, and supports the international representation of Kenyan golfers.
Through partnerships with sponsors, clubs, and local communities, KGU continues to make golf more
inclusive, competitive, and accessible nationwide, while driving junior development and maintaining global standards of excellence within the sport.
Elsewhere, Senior Kabundi beat a strong field of over 160 golfers, including seven junior golfers, to emerge the overall combined winner during the NCBA-sponsored Kiambu Golf Club Captain’s Prize over the weekend.
Kabundi managed a score of 72 on aggregate to floor all the other players and emerged the best as the club bid farewell to outgoing Captain William Muguima in the annual event.
David Thiong’o emerged the overall winner on Saturday with 42 points playing off handicap 25 as JK Muchai (19) carded 37 points to win the men’s category, while Rose Kabutha won the ladies category after beating Beatrice Kungu on countback after both carded35 points.
NCBA Group Director of Corporate & Investment Banking Advisory, Tirus Mwithiga, played a good round to win the Sponsor category with 35 points off handicap 11.
The week-long tournament featured the Clergy and Friends event, juniors’ day, a seniors’ tournament, and a special curtain raiser, and had a Caddies tournament on Monday.
The Club’s outgoing Captain Muguima pointed out a high uptake of the game by junior players at the club in the last year as one of his biggest achievements.
“Today was a good day and I am happy that the week has ended well. Congratulations to all the winners throughout the week as we celebrated the Captain’s Prize. My tenure has been exceptional, and I believe we have achieved a lot. Our biggest achievement has been on the junior front, where we have had more than 30 players get their handicaps this year. As a result, we have made sure that we reserved slots for junior players’ every time we have a tournament at the club, and we hope to see more juniors taking up the sport,” Muguima said.
And three more golfers booked their slots for the upcoming 2025 NCBA Golf Series as the qualifying phase of the tournament came to an end over the weekend at the Nyahururu Golf Club.
Cyrus Lwenyi carded an impressive 37 points to emerge the overall winner and lead his club mates to the Gand Finale qualification.
Playing off handicap 6, Samuel Njenga won the Overall Men category with a similar score as Lwenyi, who had a better score on countback.
Florence Wanjiru carded 34 points off handicap 12 to grab the Overall Lady title, joining Lwenyi, Njenga and other players from different clubs on the list for the Grand Finale.
Focus now turns to the Grand Finale showdown set to take place at Muthaiga on Saturday, November 28th.
TOP TEN LEADERS AND TIES (MANCHESTER SALVER-ELDORET).
Isaac Makokha (Kenya Railway Golf Club)-73-74-71-218 gross (Ksh. 92,500.00).
Elvis Muigua (Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club)-75-73-71-219 gross (KSh. 55,500.00)
Rafael Leming’ani (Ruiru Sports Club)-73-73-76-222 gross (Ksh. 37,000.00).
Josphat Rono (Golf Park Golf Club)-73-74-77-224 gross (Ksh. 27,700.00).
John Kamaisi (Nakuru Golf Club)-77-73-76-226 gross (Ksh. 18,025.00).
Wesley Kibet (Royal Nairobi Golf Club)-75-76-75-226 gross (Ksh. 18,025.00).
Milton Ambunya (Eldoret Club)-75-75-76-226 gross (Ksh. 18,025.00).
Amos Odongo (Golf Park Golf Club)-71-78-77-226 gross (Ksh. 18,025.00).
John Koina (Muthaiga Golf Club)-75-74-78-227 gross (Ksh. 13,900.00).
Kimeli Mutai (Nandi Bears Club)-82-66-81-229 gross (Ksh. 12,900.00)
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