-The top amateurs to face the July strong Coastal South East Monsoon ‘Kusi’ winds from the nearby Indian Ocean waters sweeping the Sea-Link Mombasa Golf course in Mombasa county.
-Elsewhere, more than 100 golfers are expected to take to the Eldoret Golf Club course this Saturday, July 12th as the NCBA Golf Series continues with the club’s Monthly Mug where more golfers stand to book their spots for the NCBA Grand Series set for November
this year.
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLF NEWS.
The stage is set for one of the most historic events on Kenya’s golfing calendar as the 105th edition of the NCBA Coast Open ‘Barry Cup’ returns to Mombasa golf club in Mombasa County from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th July 2025.
The tournament has drawn 65 top amateur players from across the country, all vying for national glory on the coastal greens of the par 71 Sea-Link course.
On the windswept cliffs of Mombasa, where the sea breeze carries the stories of generations and the fairways echo with the footsteps of legends, the Coast Open continues to be a testament to Kenya’s rich golfing tradition.
The tournament is open to golfers with a handicap Limit Index of 15.0 has drawn from across the Country’s golf clubs who will be fighting for top honors including a total prize purse share of KES 400,000 with the winner set to take home Ksh. 86,800.
All players will compete in the first two rounds after which the top 33 players including ties will advance to the final round in the three days 54 holes’ strokes play tournament challenge which is part of the NCBA Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) calendar and serves as the 22nd of 33 tournaments scheduled in 2025.
The tournament that counts points towards points the Golfer of the year (GOTY) series and the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), is one of the ongoing highlight of the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) calendar’s organized series being played across the Country and just coming after last weekend’s Limuru open.
The top Amateurs with their hearts beating fast are set to face off the current July strong Coastal South East Monsoon ‘Kusi’ winds from the nearby Indian Ocean waters sweeping the Sea-Link Mombasa Golf course in Mombasa county.
But behind their backs, the Amateurs will be smiling big following the absence of the current top GOTY Leaders John Lejirma of Royal Nairobi Club, Carl Wabasi of Vet lab, Avnish Bhandari of Royal Nairobi and Kiambu’s Michael Karanga who is the defending champion.
The four Amateurs will be away at the same weekend participating in the 11th Edition of the MCB Indian Ocean Open 2025 at the Anahita golf club in Mauritius, which is a key event for amateur golfers in the region that also counts towards the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
Last year, Karanga emerged the overall winner of the tournament with a total of 212 gross to retain the title he won in 2023 and also walked home with the top prize money of Ksh. 92,500 with Lejirma being the runners up on 215 gross and Uganda’s Michael Alunga finished third with 217gross.
This time all eyes will be on among others Ndumberi’s Elvis Muigua, Adel Balala of Nyali, Isaac Makhoha from Kenya Railways, Nyali’s Andrew Wahome and Josphat Rono from Golf.
But Coast has also lined up a strong team whose participation is expected to bring a competitive edge and strong local support.
Among other locals who will be showcasing their talent and home-course confidence is Henry Kamau, William Odek, Gathogo Kaguta, Dickson Barasa, Omar Lewa, Fahmy Hamid and Edwin Kiptoo.
“The course is in good shape. A Lot of wind but I have prepared myself well and steady to lift Barry cup, “said Kamau.
On the Ladies side top lady golfer Naomi Wafula of Vipingo Ridge Club leads the pack comprising Mary Kandu of Nyali, Mombasa’s Mary Naneu and Margaret Njoki Golf Park.
Naomi who was last year’s top Lady in the tournament said, “Yes, I’ll be coming for the Coast Open and Barry Cup. I’m really looking forward to it. In terms of preparation, I’ve been working hard on both my physical and mental game. I’ve focused a lot on sharpening my short game and maintaining consistency in my swing. Every round for me is a learning experience with a lot of enjoyment. I’m also truly excited to compete in the Barry Cup for the second time. It’s always a special place with amazing energy and great players.”
Experienced referees Bernard Mwaura and Peter Macharia, appointed by the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) will officiate the event ensuring the game is played according to the rules of The R&A and KGU.
Club Captain George Mokaya said all is all set with the course in pristine condition and appeals to golf fans to turn in large numbers to cheer the players saying promising extreme talents and skills to be displayed at the Course with more entertainments lined up to make the day enjoyable.
“The Barry cup continues its strong run as the premier sporting event for amateurs in the region where it draws massive support from the growing golf fraternity. Apart from the finesse exhibited in the field by the select handicappers during the championship, it has also emerged as a gem of socialization also the festive camaraderie that pervades the ocean facing club and is usually the premium outing for the regional and upcountry tourists, “said Mokaya.
After the open, the Amateurs will then set their eyes and focus on the kabete Open taking place from July 18th to 20th at Vet lab sports club, then the Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship, and the Kenya Amateur Stroke Play Championship, key events that define the season.
Kenya Golf Union (KGU) has extended special thanks go to the management and staff of Mombasa Golf Club for their excellent preparation of the course, providing players with a world-class experience on one of Kenya’s most scenic and historic layouts.
NCBA, the title sponsor, continues to demonstrate unwavering support for the growth of amateur golf across the country.
Their sponsorship of the KAGC series has played a crucial role in developing talent and elevating the standard of competition.
NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora said, “We are happy to be at Mombasa this weekend for this historic event which is an important part of the KAGC Series. Our commitment this year to supporting golf’s full cycle means
that we get to support elite amateurs through this series. Apart from this, the NCBA Golf Series will continue this weekend with the Eldoret Golf Club Monthly Mug and we expect a good event on Saturday as well.”
Established in 1928, the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) is Kenya’s oldest continuous sports organization. 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.
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 and NCBA Bank Kenya PLC is Kenya’s third-largest bank by assets.
The Bank is set to play a key role in supporting Africa’s economic ambitions and is a market leader in Corporate Banking, Asset Finance, and Digital Banking.
According to the club records, the Coast Open-Barry Cup is the oldest Golf trophy competed for in the Coast having first been donated to the Mombasa Golf Club in 1913 by the donor Percy Barry was not only a founder member of the Club but was the first Honorary Treasurer and Captain a whopping four times.
For this exemplary service he was elected an Honorary Life Member as a Golfer of no mean repute who won the first Barry Cup competition when it was played during the Christmas season of the same year.
Originally it was intended that if any competitor won the trophy three times in a row, then the trophy would become that winner’s property.
However, when A.J. Boland achieved the feat after swimming in 1932, 1933, and 1934, the Club Committee recommended that the trophy be held in perpetuity as a Challenge Scratch Trophy to commemorate Mr. Barry outstanding service to the club has been played under the Kenya Golf Union since 1928.
Mombasa Golf Club is a private members’ club located on Mama Ngina Drive in Mombasa Kenya, known for being the only links course in the region and boasts a rich history, founded on June 27, 1911.
Elsewhere, more than 100 golfers are expected to take to the Eldoret Golf Club course this Saturday, July 12th as the NCBA Golf Series continues with the club’s Monthly Mug where more golfers stand to book their spots for the NCBA Grand Series set for November this year.
Last weekend, a field of 260 golfers took to the course at the Sigona Golf Club for the 16th qualifying leg of the NCBA Golf Series, with golfers booking their slots for the grand finale.
They included home players Sandeep Matharu and Zipporah Gichigi, who were among the standout performers, earning top honors in the gross categories.
Matharu, playing off handicap 2, emerged as the Overall Gross Winner (Men) with a superb round of 72 gross, while Gichigi, playing off handicap 7, secured the Overall Lady Gross Winner title with a score of 86 gross.
In Division One, Saahil Shah (handicap 10) delivered a consistent performance to finish top with 40 stable ford points, while Division Two honors went to Milan Varsani (handicap 18), who carded 42 points to lead the men, while Jane Njau (handicap 14) topped the ladies’ field with 33 points.
The day’s best stable ford score came from Division Three winner Bharat Lakhani, who posted an outstanding 43 points to claim victory in his category.
All six players secured their spots in the Grand Finale of the 2025 NCBA Golf Series.
ENDS.
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