THE 100th edition of the prestigious Tannahill Shield Easter Golf Tournament teed off Monday at the historic 119-year-old Royal Nairobi Golf Club.
This year’s event features nine competing teams: Royal Nairobi Golf Club, Mombasa Golf Club, Muthaiga Golf Club, Western Kenya, Limuru Country Club, Vet Lab Sports Club, Kenya Railways Golf Club, Sigona Golf Club, and Windsor Golf and Country Club.
Mombasa Golf Club, sponsored by NCBA Bank, has made its intentions clear — they’re not just showing up; they’re here to conquer.
In an exclusive interview with Golf Score Kenya, the club’s captain George Mokaya said they are approaching the tournament with purpose, pride, and a well-prepared squad determined to etch their name in history.
Mombasa is fielding three teams: juniors, seniors, and the main squad.
“We selected the team two months ago. We’ve trained well, and the players are blending excellently. We have some of the best talent in the country right now. This is a formidable side,” said Mokaya.
The main team features Gurbux Singh (Team Captain), Erick Nyongesa (Team Manager), elite amateurs Adel Balala, William Odeck, Sammy Mulama, Josphat Rono, Henry Kamau, Feisal Lasker, George Munyao, Charles Rob, and junior Nathan Ngweno.
Balala and Odeck were among the six top amateurs who participated in the 2025 Magical Kenya Open, while Mulama and Kamau are familiar names in the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series.
“This year is our year — the Mombasa Golf Club year. We are coming in a big way. It’s the centennial edition, and we want to win it for the hundred years. We are coming for you guys,” Mokaya declared boldly.
True to his words, Mombasa Golf Club’s senior team — comprising Simon Maina, Gurbux Singh, James Mureu, Martin Ombura, Peter Kimanga, Mburu Kariuki, Simon Karemu, and John Orioro — posted an impressive performance, outplaying eight other teams.
The senior squad clinched the top spot in their category, carding 239 gross in the first round and following it up with a steady 238 in the second, for a total of 477 gross.
Western Kenya settled for second place with a total of 480 gross, while hosts Royal Nairobi Golf Club came in third with 481 — just one stroke behind.
“We achieved a milestone by winning the 100th Tannahill. It’s a centennial achievement that will never be replicated in our lifetime. We are indeed proud of our seniors,” Mokaya said.
The junior team — featuring Fidel Wasike (Team Captain), Johnson Mwai, Alex Wainaina, Aydan Jamal, Nathan Ngweno, and Ethan Kinuthia — couldn’t quite match the performance of their senior counterparts and finished fourth in their category.
The Royal Nairobi Golf Club juniors claimed victory on home turf.
Their team — including pairings of Shawn Malesi/Mwathi Gicheru, Kimani Gicheru/Kagame Handa, Andrew Gathere/Steve Kinisu, Shuhan Peng/Bradley Malitt, Kagame Handa/Kimani Gicheru, and Fanuel Yebeltal/Yingyi Summer — made the most of their home advantage to post a combined gross score of 470 and secure the coveted title.
Karen Country Club juniors finished as runners-up with 484 gross, while Sigona Golf Club juniors took third with 492 gross.
The countdown is on to the most anticipated amateur golf event on Kenya’s calendar — the main competition of the 100th edition of the Tannahill Shield Easter Golf Tournament.
The main competition officially kicks off Friday, and will conclude on Sunday.
The tournament retains the traditional Tannahill format — three-way foursomes match play — delivering intense, strategic golf that demands precision, patience, and teamwork.
Fueling Mombasa Golf Club’s ambitious campaign is a strong partnership with NCBA.
From constructing water catchment dams to financing essential turf management equipment like the club’s new tractor, NCBA has played a pivotal role in enhancing the club’s infrastructure and performance potential.
“NCBA has supported the club in a big way. They helped construct dams that allow us to trap runoff rainwater for irrigation. This has been a game-changer,” Mokaya explained.
The current five-year sponsorship has been instrumental in preparing the team for moments like this — and Mokaya hinted at an even stronger collaboration ahead.
“NCBA has been part and parcel of our growth. We’re happy they are on board and willing to support us in every way. We hope to extend the partnership or even scale it up — we’re really looking forward to that,” he added.
This centennial edition is more than just a tournament — it’s a celebration of 100 years of golfing heritage.