It will be a busy weekend for golf enthusiasts as the 2025 golf calendar for the NCBA Golf Series and the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) officially begins.
Vet-Lab Sports Club in Nairobi will host the first tournament of the 2025 NCBA Golf Series, while Sigona Golf Club will host the 66th edition of the Sigona Bowl, which traditionally serves as the KAGC series opener.
The Vet-Lab NCBA qualifier marks the first of 41 qualifier events planned for the year in what promises to be an exciting and competitive season of golf across East Africa.
Renowned for its challenging 18-hole course, Vet-Lab Sports Club will welcome over 200 golfers competing in the Stableford format, all vying to emerge victorious across various categories.
Speaking ahead of the event, NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora expressed excitement about returning to the venue for the series opener.
“We are delighted to return to Vet-Lab Sports Club as we tee off the 2025 NCBA Golf Series. This course has always provided a fantastic platform to start our journey, and we are thrilled to welcome over 200 golfers for what promises to be a memorable tournament,” said Gachora.
He noted that the NCBA Golf Series has grown significantly over the years and shared enthusiasm for this year’s edition.
“We look forward to engaging with golfers and fans across the region as we continue to grow the sport,” he said.
The 2025 NCBA Golf Series, officially launched last week at Kenya Railway Golf Club, is now in its fifth edition.
At Sigona Golf Club, the Sigona Bowl will mark the beginning of the 2025 season for the KAGC, a year-long series featuring 31 events across the country.
The 66th edition of the three-day Sigona Bowl will run from Friday, January 24, to Sunday, January 26.
The event has drawn a diverse field of players, including participants from golf clubs across Kenya as well as international golfers from Tanzania, China, Great Britain, Rwanda, and Uganda.
Initially, 186 players had registered for the Sigona Bowl, but only 156 will compete, in accordance with the competition’s terms.
The Sigona Bowl will be a 54-hole stroke play championship.
All players will compete in the first two rounds, after which the top 33 players, along with ties, will make the cut to advance to Sunday’s final round.
The total prize pool is set at Sh450,000, with the winner taking home Sh104,000.
“The Sigona Bowl is an iconic event on our calendar, and we’re excited to kick off the 2025 KAGC season with it,” said Kenya Golf Union Chairman David Ndung’u.
The 2025 KAGC series is also sponsored by NCBA.
“We are immensely grateful to NCBA for their continued support of amateur golf in Kenya. Their Sh6 million sponsorship for 2025 plays a vital role in elevating the game and providing a platform for both local and international players to showcase their talent,” added Ndung’u.
The Sigona Bowl is both a WAGR (World Amateur Golf Ranking) and KAGC ranking event, offering players local and international recognition as well as an opportunity to gauge their performance on the global amateur golf stage.
As part of its broader vision, NCBA has renewed key partnerships with the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) and the Junior Golf Foundation (JGF).
This year, a total of 159 NCBA-sponsored events will be held across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda—a significant increase from the 130 events in 2024.
The junior events alone will include 49 in Kenya, 22 in Uganda, and 3 in Tanzania, with Rwanda hosting its first-ever junior event and golf clinic.
Additionally, for the first time, NCBA has partnered with the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK).
The Kenya Golf Union (KGU) received Sh6 million to support the 2025 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series.
The Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) received Sh12 million to enhance junior golf activities throughout the year, focusing on golf development, nurturing young talent, and expanding access to the game across Kenya.
The Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) received a three-month starter support kit worth Sh1.2 million to aid their golfing activities.
These partnerships aim to advance golf at all levels, from junior players to seasoned professionals, ensuring the sport’s growth and sustainability in the region.