Over 120 golfers will compete in the 2026 NCBA Ruiru Open at Ruiru Sports Club from June 12 to 14 as the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) circuit resumes with one of the season’s most anticipated events.
The tournament is guaranteed to crown a new champion following the transition of two-time winner John Lejirma to the professional ranks.
Lejirma won both the 2024 and 2025 editions, leaving the field wide open for a new name to emerge at Ruiru.
Leading the charge is Ebill Omollo, who arrives in top form after winning last month’s NCBA Coronation & Bendor Trophy at Nakuru Golf Club.
He will be joined by Nakuru Golf Club’s John Kamaisi, winner of the Kiambu Open and currently second on the KAGC Order of Merit standings with 405 points, behind leader Jay Sandhu of Muthaiga Golf Club.
Elvis Muigua, fresh from his victory at the NCBA Ronald Marshall & Toby Gibson Matchplay Championship at Njoro Country Club, will also be among the favourites.
Muigua sits third on the Order of Merit standings with 374 points and will be looking to gain ground on the leaders.
The championship has attracted regional participation from Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, further highlighting the growing stature of the KAGC circuit as one of East Africa’s leading amateur golf competitions.
Players will battle for top honours, a share of the KES 500,000 prize purse, valuable World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, and crucial Order of Merit points as the race for the 2026 KAGC title gathers pace.
Meanwhile, attention on the club golf scene shifts to Kakamega Sports Club, where golfers from across the Western region will compete in the latest leg of the 2026 NCBA Golf Series.
Participants will be chasing qualification spots for the Grand Finale scheduled for November 28 at Karen Country Club.
Speaking ahead of the weekend’s events, NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting golf at all levels, from grassroots participation to elite amateur competition
“At NCBA, we remain committed to supporting golf at every level, from club golfers participating in the NCBA Golf Series to elite amateurs competing on the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship circuit. This weekend reflects the strength and diversity of golf in Kenya, with the NCBA Ruiru Open providing an important platform for our top amateur players to compete for ranking points, while the NCBA Golf Series in Kakamega continues to grow participation and bring the game closer to communities across the country.”
He added: “We are encouraged by the quality of competition we continue to witness on the KAGC circuit. The emergence of new champions, the strong performances from young players transitioning into the amateur ranks, and the increasing participation from across East Africa are all indicators that the game is moving in the right direction.”
The twin events mark another busy weekend on NCBA’s golf calendar, which spans junior, amateur, professional, and club golf, underscoring the bank’s long-term commitment to developing the sport and creating opportunities for players across the region.