-The Royal Nairobi qualifier marked a strong start to the 2026 NCBA Golf Series and up next on the calendar is the Kericho Golf Club Mug set for February 7th.
-Elsewhere, James Mathenge wins Captain (Henry Kinyua) Prize at Thika Greens.
-And the Vet & Reggae golf top prize was scooped by Henry Kamuti at Vrt Lab Sports Club.
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS.
Teenage sensation Cherono Kipkorir once again underlined her class on the NCBA Golf Series stage after clinching her third overall gross Lady title at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club qualifier on Saturday, January 31, as the 2026 season officially got underway.
Kipkorir, who previously won the same category during the club’s 2021 and 2025 qualifying legs, returned a score of 80 off handicap 3 to claim top honors in the ladies’ gross category, continuing her impressive dominance in the series.
Despite emerging on top, the youngster noted that she did not have the best round on the course.
“It wasn’t a good round for me today. I struggled with a few things on the course, especially my swing, and didn’t play the way I wanted to. I made some mistakes that cost me strokes, and I know I can do much better than that. I’ll go back, work on those areas, and try to improve,” said Kipkorir
The Royal Nairobi qualifier attracted 262 golfers, all competing in the Stable ford format across multiple divisions as they sought qualification slots for the NCBA Golf Series 2026 Grand Finale.
In the men’s category, Tonny Tugee emerged as the Overall Gross Men Winner after carding a solid 73 off handicap 8. James Kamenchu finished as the Gross Men Runner-Up with a score of 75, while Cherise Wachira secured the Gross Lady Runner-Up position on 82.
Edwin Kinisu was third with a score of 76, followed by Charles Kariuki in fourth on 77, while Junior Coast Open reigning champion Mwathi Gicheru claimed the Junior Winner award after returning a score of 81 off handicap 1.
Cherono, Tugee, Kamenchu, Wachira, Kinisu, Kariuki, and Gicheru became the first seven golfers to book their slots for the Grand Finale set for November this year.
NCBA Kenya Managing Director James Gossip said, “We are proud to see the 2026 NCBA Golf Series get underway at Royal Nairobi Golf Club, a venue that holds great significance in Kenya’s golfing landscape. The strong turnout at Royal Nairobi and the quality of play we witnessed reaffirm our commitment to investing in golf across the region. This series is about growing the game, supporting clubs and communities, and creating opportunities for golfers at every level, from juniors to elite players.”
In Division II, Josiah Mutai claimed the men’s title with a score of 66, while Liqing Yang emerged as the ladies’ winner on 68. Kelvin Nga’nga topped Division III (Handicap 25+) with a score of 69.
In the supplementary categories, Peter Mbugua won the Guest Prize after carding 76, while Charles Omondi claimed the Staff Winner accolade with a score of 72.
The Royal Nairobi qualifier marked a strong start to the 2026 NCBA Golf Series and came on the back of the reopening of the redesigned 10th and 11th holes, which had been closed for approximately eight months to allow for extensive upgrade works supported by NCBA.
Up next on the calendar is the Kericho Golf Club Mug set for February 7th.
MORE CLUBS RESULTS.
THIKA GREENS GOLF RESORT.
Captains (Henry Kinyua) Prize.
Overall winner-James Mathenge (10) 42 points, Gross winner-Brian Omondi (4)-33 points, Man winner-Walter Njenga (15)-43 points, Runners-J.K. Maigua (20)-40 points, Lady winner-Liz Wanjiru (28)-42 points, Runners up-Joy Kawira (36)-41 points, Member winner man-Ndegwa Nderitu (7)-40 points,
Member winner Lady-Anne Kanyori (18)-39 points, Guest winner-S.K.Ndungi (26)-40 points, Sponsor winner-Moses Gatonye (11)-28 points, Subsidiary man winner-Stephen Kamau (31)-45 points,
Subsidiary lady winner-Anne Wairimu (13)-40 points, Junior winner-Ryan Njuguna (13)-38 points, first nine winner-Stephen Kinyanjui (22)-24 points, Second nine winner-Nicholus Mwaniki (27)-20 points, Longest drive man winner-Dr. Terra Saidimu, Longest drive lady winner-Jackie Sirai, Nearest to the pin man winner-John Maigua, Nearest to the pin lady winner-Njeri Muriithi.
VETLAB SPORTS CLUB.
Vet & Reggae Golf Day.
Overall Winner-Henry Kamuti (21)-48 points, Men winner-Kennedy Mariga (16)-42 points, Runners up Chirag Patel (16)-41 points, Lady winner-Grace Wanjohi (22)-38 points, Runners up-Phyllice Gitumbi (30)-35 points, Gross winner-Victor Oyango (5)-73 gross, Senior winner-Peter Muiruri (22)-41 points,
Junior winner-James Macakiage (34)-38 points, Longest drive men winner-Deep Bid, Longest drive Ladies winner-Deep Bid, Closest to the pin men winner-Brian Akun (Hole-in-One), Closest to the pin ladies winner-Dorcas Mukabi, Best effort winner- Susan Karanja (54)-17 points.
ENDS.
KINDLY ADVERTISE WITH US.
FOR YOUR GOLF/SPORTS/BUSINESS/ENVIRONMENT/HEALTH/OPINIONS/SPONSORED CONTENTS OR BUSINESS PROMO,
CONTACT US.
mmaarufu@gmail.com.
golfnewslinks@gmail.com.
Phone/What’s up…+254726614604.
+254722415598.
