Kenya’s elite amateur golfers are set to showcase their skills this weekend at the highly anticipated Malindi Open ‘Vasco da Gama Cup,’ navigating the challenging terrain of Malindi Golf Club.
The three-day, 54-hole stroke play championship has attracted amateur golfers from across the country.
With a prize kitty of Sh520,000, the tournament’s winner will walk away with Sh130,000.
Among the top contenders are the current leaders of the 2024 Kenya Amateur Golf Champion (KAGC) series: Michael Karanga (Kiambu Golf Club), John Lejirma (Railways Golf Club), and Elvis Muigua (Kiambu Golf Club).
Karanga, who secured his fifth KAGC title at last weekend’s NCBA Kenya Railways Invitational, is also the defending champion of the Malindi Open.
He will be looking to retain his title.
Lejirma, who is currently ranked second in the 2024 KAGC Series, is eager to reclaim the series lead.
“I’m feeling confident and excited about the tournament. I’ve spent a lot of time refining my strategy, especially on how to tackle the challenges the course presents,” said Lejirma.
He added, “I feel ready, and my goal this weekend is to carry that momentum forward and deliver a strong performance.”
Among the 57 golfers who qualified for the NCBA Malindi Open, only two women, Naomi Wafula (Vipingo) and Mary Kandu (Nyali Golf and Country Club), will be competing.
In an interview with Golf Score Kenya, Wafula expressed her determination to perform well.
“I’ll be competing in the Vasco da Gama Cup this weekend, and being close to home in Vipingo gives me an extra boost! I’m aiming for a strong performance, so let’s see how it unfolds,” she said.
Kandu, who played at Malindi Golf Club last month, said she is looking forward to improving her performance.
“Malindi is a challenging course, and this will be my second time playing here after the Coast Ladies Open in August. I love a good challenge, and my goal is to improve on my previous performance,” Kandu said.
Mombasa Golf Club’s Willy Sang, whose first competitive tournament was the Coast Open Barry Cup in July, hopes to make the cut at the Malindi Open.
“I’m building on the experience I gained at the Coast Open. I’ll focus on correcting my mistakes, and hopefully, making the cut this time will be a victory for me,” Sang shared.
The NCBA Malindi Open – Vasco da Gama is the 20th tournament in this year’s KAGC series, sanctioned by the Kenya Golf Union (KGU).
The event also counts toward the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
Malindi Golf Club Captain Henry Akello welcomed the participants, expressing pride in the course’s condition.
“Our team has worked tirelessly to prepare the course, and I’m proud to say it’s in excellent condition. It offers a challenging yet enjoyable experience for all golfers. We anticipate an exciting tournament and wish everyone the best of luck,” said Akello.
KGU Chairman David Ndungu thanked NCBA Bank for their continued support of this year’s KAGC series.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all sponsors who have come on board, especially our main sponsor, NCBA Bank. We also thank I-sal, Jambo Jet, and the Kilifi County Government for their invaluable support,” Ndungu said.
NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora shared the bank’s pride in supporting events that bring together the region’s best amateur golfers for friendly yet highly competitive tournaments.
“We’re looking forward to an exciting tournament in Malindi, a place known not just for its beauty but also for its passionate golfing community. Based on what we’ve seen, this year’s event will be just as remarkable, if not better,” said Gachora.