-Tournament takes place at the historic Royal Johannesburg Golf Club in South Africa from Wednesday 4th, to Saturday 7th, February.
-And the highest-ranked Kenyan player at the Championship will qualify to participate in the upcoming Magical Kenya Open (MKO) in Nairobi.
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Kenya Golf Union (KGU) has announced a strong team of eight players to represent the Country in the upcoming 2026 Africa Amateur Championship Golf tournament schedule to take place at the historic 18 holes par 72 Royal Johannesburg Golf Club course in South Africa from Wednesday 4th, February,2026.
The players selected includes the current top Amateurs namely John Lejirma (Royal Nairobi), Elly Barno (Nandi Bears), Elvis Muigua (Kiambu), Adel Balala (Nyali), Daniel Kiragu (Muthaiga), Dennis Maara (Limuru), Michael Karanga (Kiambu) and Josphat Rono (Golf Park).
KGU Chairman Chris Kinuthia in a latest press release said the four days that ends on Saturday 7th February is now in its third edition and is one of the Continent’s premier amateur Golf events, bringing together Africa’s leading male amateur Golfers to compete on a World-class stage under the stewardship of The R&A.
“The selected squad reflects Kenya’s continued depth and competitiveness in elite amateur Golf, developed through national competitive pathways including the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series,” stated Kinuthia.
He further pointed out that on addition, the highest-ranked Kenyan player at the Africa Amateur Championship will qualify to participate in the Magical Kenya Open (MKO) as the sixth Kenyan representative, further strengthening the pathway from amateur Golf to elite international competition.
Since John Lejirma and Michael Karanga have already secured MKO places through national championships, the MKO qualification will go to the highest-ranked player among the remaining six Kenyan contenders at the Africa Amateur Championship.
Lejirma, the 2025 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series champion who has been working on his putting and approach shots, and recently finished second at the Ruiru leg of the Sunshine Development Tour, said yesterday that he is focused on the challenge and preparing to give his best shot, focusing on consistency and mental strength.
“We hope for the best and competing against top players motivates me to improve and measure my game and I’m honored to represent Kenya and aim to make a strong impression, “noted Lejirma
This prestigious Africa Amateur Championship will be a 72-hole stroke-play event, featuring top Male Amateur Golfers while running alongside the Women’s Invitational on the East Course, and offers the winner coveted spots in The Open Championship.
The Amateur Championship Royal Johannesburg Golf Club was granted its “Royal” status by King George V in 1931 and is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most prestigious parkland Golf courses.
The championship will be contested on the club’s renowned East Course, a distinguished championship layout with a rich competitive heritage.
The East Course has previously hosted Africa’s top male and female amateur golfers and boasts an illustrious history of elite events, including ten South African Open Championships and the Joburg Open.
The championship is part of a series of elite events designed to elevate the standard of Amateur Golf across Africa and also provides a direct pathway to the global stage.
This approach rewards outstanding continental performance while maintaining fairness within the national selection framework.
The winner of the championship will earn exemptions into the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale located at Southport, Merseyside in England and The Amateur Championship 2026 title.
The Africa Amateur Championship provides a direct pathway to the global stage.
Both championships are organized by The R&A, the global governing body for golf outside the United States and Mexico.
The R&A is golf’s global governing body, working in collaboration with affiliated national governing bodies to develop the sport and ensure its long-term sustainability.
Based in St Andrews, Scotland, The R&A governs the Rules of Golf worldwide (excluding the United States and Mexico) and organizes many of the game’s most prestigious championships, including The Open Championship, The Amateur Championship, and leading international amateur events.
Through championships such as the Africa Amateur Championship, The R&A is committed to growing the game globally by creating clear competitive pathways for elite amateur golfers, providing opportunities for players from emerging golf nations to access the highest levels of international competition.
Rolex is an official event partner of the Africa Amateur Championship and the Africa Amateur Women’s
Invitational, and is committed to supporting The R&A’s professional and amateur championships globally.
The Kenya Golf Union (KGU) is the governing body for amateur golf in Kenya and is responsible for the
development, administration, and promotion of the sport at national and international levels. KGU continues to work closely with global partners, including The R&A, to ensure Kenyan golfers access competitive opportunities and pathways to elite international events
ENDS.
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