John Lejirma showcased his dominance in amateur golf, clinching the inaugural NCBA Kisii Open ‘Shabana Trophy’ at Kisii Sports Club with a commanding score of -4 (209) over three rounds.
Representing Royal Nairobi Golf Club, Lejirma fired rounds of 71, 69, and 69, securing victory by an impressive ten-stroke margin over his nearest challenger, Naomi Wafula of Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort.
His steady play and experience proved vital on the par-71 course, with his back-to-back 69s in the second and third rounds underlining his class and composure.
“I’m honoured to have won the inaugural Kisii Open ‘Shabana Trophy.’ It was a great experience playing here for the first time. It was tough, but we enjoyed the challenge. I’m looking forward to more great events like this,” Lejirma told Golf Score Kenya.
He also expressed gratitude to the event’s backers: “A big thank you to our sponsors NCBA, my individual sponsors Eaazi Toothpaste and Betika for their unwavering support, as well as the organizers and Kisii Golf Club for hosting us.”
This marks Lejirma’s second victory in the 2025 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series, following his triumph at the NCBA Windsor Classic on March 9 at Windsor Golf and Country Club.
His latest win strengthens his lead at the top of the 2025 KAGC leaderboard, where he now has 204 points from four events, ahead of Michael Karanga, who has 121.8 points from three events.
At Kisii, Naomi Wafula, one of Kenya’s leading female golfers, finished second with a +6 (219) total.
Despite a slow start with an opening 75, she bounced back impressively with two solid rounds of 72, showcasing her resilience on the demanding Kisii Sports Club course.
“It was an incredible experience, especially finishing second overall and topping the Ladies’ category. The competition was tough, but I enjoyed the challenge and learned a lot from the course,” Wafula told Golf Score Kenya.
She added: “It was also a privilege to be in the final group on the last day and play alongside Kenya team captain John Lejirma, the overall winner of the tournament.”
Meanwhile, Geoffrey Karioki of Kisii Sports Club delighted the home crowd by securing third place with a +7 (220) total.
After a challenging opening round of 80, he staged a remarkable comeback, firing 69 and 71 to climb the leaderboard.
The NCBA Kisii Open, a new addition to the KAGC calendar, proved to be a resounding success, attracting top amateur golfers to the picturesque Kisii Sports Club.
