NCBA Malindi Open And Vasco Da Gama Cup Set For This Weekend

_{John Kamais of Nakuru Golf Club celebrates after winning the 2024 Nyanza Open Hippo Pot.PHOTO/ COURTESY}

MALINDI, Kenya- The highly anticipated NCBA Malindi Open and Vasco Da Gama Cup will take place this weekend from September 20th to 22nd, 2024 at the Malindi Golf and Country Club Course in Kilifi County.

The three-day 54-hole stroke play Championship has drawn the Amateurs from across the Country where the players will play in the first two rounds after which the top 33 and ties will make the cut to the final round to be played on Sunday.

Among the top contenders are Kenya’s number one golfer and also the defending champion for the event- Michael Karanga from Kiambu Golf Club, Lejirma from Railway Golf Club and William Odek from Nyali Golf Club.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors who have come on board to support this event, particularly our main sponsor, NCBA Bank, for their continued commitment to this year’s series. Our appreciation also goes to I-sal, Jambo Jet, and Kilifi County Government for their invaluable support,” said KGU Chairman David Ndungu.

NCBA Group Managing Director, John Gachora, said: “We are thrilled to have reached this point in the Kenya Amateur Golf Series. As NCBA, we take immense pride in being part of these events that brings together the best amateur golfers from across the region for friendly yet highly competitive tournaments. So far, the events have been exceptional, with outstanding performances all around. We look forward to an exciting tournament in Malindi, which is not only known for its beauty but also for its passionate golfing community. Based on what we’ve seen so far, we expect it to be just as remarkable, if not better. We wish all the golfers the very best of luck.”

John Kamais of Nakuru Golf Club in action during the 2024 Nyanza Open Hippo Pot. PHOTO/ COURTESY

The total prize money for the tournament is five hundred and twenty thousand Kenyan shillings (Ksh 520,000), with the winner set to take home one hundred thirty thousand Kenyan shillings (Ksh 130,000).

Additionally, this event will count towards the World Amateur Ranking Golf (WARG), adding further significance to this exciting tournament.

The event follows the 2024 Nyanza Open ‘Hippo Pot’ tournament held 6th – 8th September at the Nyanza Golf Club that was claimed by John Kamais of Nakuru Golf Club.

In the gripping three-day tournament, Kamais dethroned defending champion and national team captain John Lejirma of Kenya Railways Golf Club.