-This his second victory in the ongoing KAGC series after the recent NCBA Windsor Classic and now tops in the Leaderboard.
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS.
‘Samburu One’ John Lejirma was crowned the 2025 NCBA Kisii Open Champion after emerging the overall winner in the 54 holes three days’ tournament at the nine-hole par 70 Kisii sports club course in Kisii County over the weekend.
Lejirma from the Royal Nairobi Golf Club and the current National Golf Team Captain carded a 71 and a double 69 gross for a combined total of 209 gross to claim the Shabana trophy and also walked home with Ksh. 115,600 as the top prize money.
“I’m honored to have won the inaugural Kisii Open. It was a great experience playing here for the first time and I appreciate the effort put into organizing this event. A big thank you to our sponsor NCBA, organizers, my sponsors Eazi toothpaste and Betika for the unwavering support. It was a tough but enjoyable challenge, “said Lejirma.
This is Lejirma’s second victory in the 2025 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series, following his overall win of the NCBA Windsor Classic on March 9 at Windsor Golf and Country Club recently and now tops in the 2025 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) leaderboard with 204 points.
The inaugural ‘Shabana’ trophy made its debut at the Kissii course brought together 62 Elite Amateurs pitch camp in Kisii County for the three days NCBA Kisii Open Golf Championship this weekend.
The Tournament organized by Kenya Golf Union (KGU) is among this year’s ongoing country wideKAGC series schedule sponsored by NCBA Bank with an impressive prize pool of Ksh. 500,000.
Lady golfer Naomi Wafula from Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort Club in Kilifi County was second after playing a combined six over par 219 gross from 75,72,72, and was awarded Ksh. 69,400.00.
“I enjoyed playing in the Kisii Open, Shabana Trophy for the first time. Kisii is very beautiful and I enjoyed the sceneries on the golf course. It was an incredible experience, especially finishing 2nd overall and topping the Ladies’ category. The competition was tough, but I enjoyed the challenge and learned a lot from the course. It was also a privilege to be in the final group on the last day and play with Kenya team Captain, John Lejirma and the overall winner of the tournament. A big thank you to the organizers, sponsors, and everyone who made this event possible. I’m grateful for the support and excited for what’s ahead. Thank you, “said Wafula.
The tournament that showcased top-tier golf talent and celebrations of the rich sporting culture in Kisii, saw home Club’s Geofrey Karoiki claim the third spot on total combined seven over par 220 gross having played 80,69 and 71 gross and received Ksh. 46,200.
This significant prize makes the tournament a highly sought-after competition on the amateur golf circuit and is also officially recognized as a World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) tournament, offering participants the chance to earn valuable ranking points, further elevating the event’s prestige and appeal.
KGU Kisii regional representative Wycliff Ayienda explained that the name “Shabana” holds a special place in the hearts of the Kisii community and it originates from one of the town’s first and oldest hardware businesses, Shabana, founded by philanthropist Dogo Khan.
“Over the years, Khan has been a champion of community initiatives in Gusii, contributing to various projects that have left a lasting impact and in 1978, he sponsored the very first KGU event, the Shabana Open, a Foursomes format competition, which became a mainstay in the club’s history alongside the prestigious ‘Gethin Cup’,” Said Ayienda.
He pointed out that in 1982, Dogo Khan extended his passion for sports by founding Shabana FC, a football club that has become a household name and now competes in the Kenya Premier League and that the club, which enjoys one of the largest fan bases in Kenya, continues to benefit from Khan’s ongoing support and commitment to local sports development.
KGU Tournament Director and Vice Chairman Chris Kinuthia expressed his gratitude for NCBA’s sponsorship, highlighting the positive impact it has had on upcountry golf clubs and the ‘Golf Mashinani’ initiative.
“This sponsorship has allowed clubs in rural Kenya to benefit significantly, and it continues to promote the game of golf across the country. We are also deeply thankful to Kisii Sports Club for the tremendous effort they’ve put in to ensure that this event is now a permanent fixture on the KGU calendar,” said Kinuthia.
From Kisii, some of the Amateurs moved to participate in the Sunshine tour from Monday before focusing eyes to the next NCBA Kiambu open scheduled to be played at the Kiambu Golf Club Course in Kiambu County from May 9th to 11th.
Established in 1928, the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) is Kenya’s oldest continuous sports organization and affiliated with the Ministry of Sports & Culture, the Royal & Ancient, and the International Golf Federation.
KGU serves as the governing body for golf in Kenya, uniting 38 golf clubs and 2 golfing societies across the nation and the Union’s core objectives encompass the advancement, promotion, and protection of golfing interests within Kenya.
NCBA Group is a full-service banking group providing a broad range of financial products and services to corporate, institutional, SME, and consumer banking customers.
NCBA Group operates a network of more than 100 branches in five countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ivory Coast. Serving over 60 million customers, the NCBA Group is the largest banking group in Africa by customer numbers.
NCBA Bank Kenya PLC is Kenya’s third-largest bank by assets and the Bank is set to play a key role in supporting Africa’s economic ambitions.
The Bank is a market leader in Corporate Banking, Asset Finance, and Digital Banking.
TOP TEN LEADERS AND TIES.
1-John Lejirma-Royal Nairobi Golf Club-71-69-69-209 gross- Ksh. 115,600.
2-Naom Wafula-Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort-75-72-72-219 gross- Ksh. 69,400.
3-Geofrey Karioki-Kisii Sports Club-80-69-71-220 gross-Ksh. 46,200.
4-Elvis Muigua-Kiambu Golf Club-71-73-78-222 gross-Ksh. 34,600.
T5-Isaac Makokha-Kenya Railway Golf Club-77-76-70-223 gross-Ksh. 25,500.
T5-John Koina-Muthaiga Golf Club-77-73-73-223 gross-Ksh. 25,500.
T6-Elly Barno-Nandi Bears Club-75-73-78-226 gross-Ksh. 18,933.
T6-John Kamaisi-Nakuru Golf Club-74-79-73-226 gross-Ksh. 18,933.
T6-Cedric Konzolo-Kakamega Sports Club-74-74-78-226 gross-Ksh. 18,933.
T7-Sammy Mulama-Golf Park Golf Club-77-75-75-227 gross-Ksh. 15,600.
T7-Joyce Wanjiru-Kiambu Golf Club-77-74-76-227 gross-Ksh. 15,600.
8-Josphat Rono-Golf Park Golf Club-79-75-74-228 gross-ksh. 13,800.
9-Ebill Omollo-Vet Lab Sports Club-79-77-73-229 gross-Ksh. 12,800.
10-Edgar Brian-Thika Greens Golf Resort-75-77-79-231 gross-Ksh. 11,600.
ENDS.
NOTE;
WANT YOUR GOLF/SPORTS/BUSINESS/ENVIRONMENT/HEALTH/OPINIONS/SPONSORED CONTENTS OR BUSINESS PROMO FEATURED IN THIS SITE?
KINDLY CONTACT US.
mmaarufu@gmail.com/golfnewslinks@gmail.com
Phone/What’s up…+254726614604/+254722415598.
