Elvis Muigua Dominates At Thika To Claim First Win Of 2025 KAGC Season
Elvis Muigua poses with his trophy following his NCBA Winston Churchill Championship win yesterday. PHOTO/ NCBA
NAIROBI, Kenya- After weeks of knocking on the door, Elvis Muigua finally broke through to clinch his first win of the 2025 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series, emerging victorious at the NCBA Winston Churchill Cup held at Thika Sports Club over the weekend.
The Ndumberi Golf Club player was in sensational form across the three-day competition, carding rounds of 69, 75, and 68 for a total score of 212, finishing four-under-par. His composed and clinical performance not only earned him the winner’s purse of KSh115,600 but also moved him up to second place in the KAGC Series standings with 200 points, just four shy of the leader, John Lejirma.
Reflecting on the win, a jubilant Muigua said: “I’ve been swinging really nicely over the past five events, shooting under par, but the win kept slipping away. Today, things finally came together—and I’m so happy with the outcome.”
“This course is relatively simple if you know your misses and stay disciplined. My strategy was to play fairways, hit greens in regulation, and let the putter work—and it really did. Putting was key for me in this tournament.”
Muigua’s breakthrough performance saw him hold off a strong field of Kenya’s best amateurs, including clubmate Michael Karanga, the 2024 KAGC champion, who finished second with rounds of 71, 76, and 70 (217, +1). Karanga, also returning to top form, praised the course and his final round:
“This was a very well-organized tournament. The greens were rolling really well. I’ve been off for a while, but I’m working my way back. Today I played two-under, and that gives me hope for what lies ahead.”
“This course can be tricky, it rewards discipline but punishes greed. I got a bit aggressive at times and it cost me. But I’m looking forward to the upcoming events with renewed focus.”
Rounding out the top three was Dennis Maara of Limuru Country Club, a former Team Kenya captain and past winner of the Winston Churchill Cup. Maara returned rounds of 72, 73, and 76 for a total of 221 (+5), and acknowledged Muigua’s dominance on the final day:
“I’ve won this tournament three years ago and so the strategy for me didn’t change much. It plays into my strengths which is mostly using my three-wood, keeping the ball in play and keeping greens and regulations. So that was my aim from day one.
Michael Karanga in action during the NCBA Winston Churchill Championship at the Thika Sports Club. PHOTO/ NCBA
Day one I played level par. On the second day, I struggled a bit but I scrambled up and down, managed a very solid one over which was very good for me because it put me in position to actually fight for the title. Then on the last day unfortunately I met a very strong Muigua. He was very strong, and he didn’t collapse at any point and we tried to keep him on check but he kept getting stronger and stronger.”
The NCBA Winston Churchill Cup, played at the par-72 Thika Sports Club course, attracted 78 top amateurs and continues to grow in stature as a key fixture on the KAGC calendar. Its return to prominence was lauded by Kenya Golf Union Chairman David Ndung’u, who said:
“It’s a good thing to see how far this event has come. Just a few years ago, it had been knocked off the KAGC calendar. But thanks to collaborative efforts, it’s back—and growing stronger with each edition. We’ve seen a strong field, solid sponsorship, and brilliant golf.”
Muigua’s long-awaited triumph marks a significant milestone in his amateur career and cements his position as one of Kenya’s rising golf stars. With several tournaments still ahead, all eyes will be on him as he aims to keep the momentum going—and possibly claim the overall KAGC Series crown.
