The 2025 NCBA Winston Churchill Championship teed off yesterday at Thika Sports Club with 78 top amateur golfers chasing glory and a Sh500,000 prize purse in one of the most anticipated events of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series.

All eyes are on Royal Nairobi’s John Lejirma, the current KAGC series leader, who returns to the course fresh off a dominant ten-stroke victory at the NCBA Kisii Open, where he clinched the Shabana Trophy with a stunning -4 (209) total.

His back-to-back triumphs, including a previous win at the NCBA Windsor Classic in March, have earned him 204 points on the KAGC leaderboard — well ahead of his closest rival, Michael Karanga (121.8 points).

Defending champion Elvis Muigua of Kiambu Golf Club is also in the hunt, hoping to replicate his success at Thika and fend off a determined field.

The event is expected to be a crucial test for the country’s top amateurs, offering a platform to sharpen their competitive edge and gather vital ranking points.

NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora lauded the event as a key pillar in nurturing local golfing talent, stating, “We are thrilled to continue supporting this championship, which gives our young golfers the opportunity to shine on a national stage.”

Kenya Golf Union (KGU) Chairman David Ndungu echoed the sentiment, praising NCBA’s continued investment in the sport.
He averred, “Their support has been instrumental in growing the amateur game and giving our players exposure to high-level competition.”

The 54-hole tournament, set to conclude tomorrow, will see players battle the demanding Thika Sports Club layout (renowned for its narrow fairways and challenging greens) making for an unpredictable finish in a field packed with rising stars and proven contenders.