Homegrown talents Aisha Duba and Joseph Gathumbi stole the spotlight at the Kenya Railway Golf Club on Saturday, clinching the overall gross titles in the latest qualifying leg of the 2025 NCBA Golf Series. 

Duba, playing off handicap 6, carded an impressive 79 to claim the overall ladies’ gross title, while Gathumbi, playing off handicap 2, posted a 73 to emerge as the overall men’s gross winner.

The event, which marked the fifth leg of the prestigious series, attracted 157 golfers, continuing the tournament’s momentum after earlier stops at VetLab Sports Club, Nandi Bears Club, Malindi Golf Club, and Kiambu Golf Club. 

In the fiercely contested Men’s Division One category, John Kamenyi (HCP 8) secured victory with 36 Stableford points, while Erick Genga (HCP 13) took top honours in Men’s Division Two with 35 points.

On the ladies’ side, Doris Night (HCP 21) won the Division Two category with 37 points, as Mary Miingi (HCP 25) claimed the Division Three title with 35 points. 

Youngster Semenye Jimmy (HCP 16) shone in the junior category, securing victory with 34 points, while Joseph Kamiri (HCP 17) delivered a standout performance to emerge as the guest winner with an impressive 44 points.

NCBA’s Charles Omondi (HCP 21) took home the staff winner’s title with 34 points. 

James Mathenge and Diana Mbuba triumphed in the longest drive contests, while JK Kamiri and Jane Ndirangu claimed the nearest-to-the-pin accolades in the men’s and ladies’ categories, respectively. 

Following the event, Omondi commended the course marshals for ensuring smooth play and emphasised NCBA’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with golfers through the series. 

“The course played well despite a few delays on certain holes, but thanks to the marshals, we kept a steady pace.

This series is more than just competition; it’s about engaging with players, understanding their needs, and continuously improving our partnership with them,” he noted. 

The winners in Division One and Two, the overall Division Three winner, and the junior category champion have now secured their places in the grand finale later this year. 

For the first time in the series’ history, NCBA has introduced a hole-in-one prize at select venues, courtesy of a partnership with JCB Ganatra Plant and Equipment Limited.

Golfers who achieve the rare feat on designated holes will walk away with a brand-new JCB Backhoe Loader, Model 3DX construction machine. 

The NCBA Golf Series now heads to Nakuru Golf Club on April 12, 2025, for the next round of qualifiers.