Road to Somabay Karen edition produces new finalists for World grand finale

The Road to Somabay Series continued its exciting journey across Kenya with a spectacular ninth qualifier at Karen Country Club, where a highly competitive field of amateur golfers battled not only for tournament honours but also for coveted places at the prestigious Somabay World Grand Finale in Egypt.

Presented by Michezonet in partnership with Commercial International Bank (CIB Bank), the tournament showcased the growing depth and quality of Kenyan amateur golf, with outstanding performances across both divisions and several contests requiring countback to separate the leading players.

Karen Country Club's championship course once again proved to be a stern but fair examination of every aspect of the players' games. The closely contested leaderboard reflected the exceptional standard of golf, with only a handful of Stableford points separating the leading contenders and every stroke carrying significant importance.

Emerging as the standout performer of the day was Chris Huka, who claimed the Overall Winner's title with an outstanding 40 Stableford points, the only player to reach the 40-point mark. While his gross score of 89 suggested a challenging round, it was in fact a masterclass in Stableford golf.

Huka demonstrated remarkable resilience by recovering brilliantly from setbacks, finishing with two birdies, four pars and a series of valuable scoring holes that more than compensated for seven double bogeys or worse. His inward nine of 44 included crucial birdies that maintained his momentum and ultimately secured victory.

It was a performance defined not by perfection, but by consistency, recovery and an ability to maximise scoring opportunities when they mattered most.

Overall Runner-up Nkatha Nkiiri produced one of the day's most composed rounds, returning 38 Stableford points. Although her card included several costly holes, she limited the damage where it mattered, remaining firmly in contention from start to finish and earning her place among Kenya's representatives at the Somabay World Grand Finale.

Division A produced arguably the tournament's most dramatic contest, with David Murima, Hardeep Rehsi and Zacharia Koech all finishing tied on 37 Stableford points. The title was ultimately decided on countback, with Murima emerging victorious after producing the strongest inward nine.

His superb gross score of 76 was among the best rounds of the tournament and featured three birdies, nine pars and only one double bogey. After an outward nine of 39, Murima elevated his performance with a flawless inward 37 highlighted by birdies and a string of confident pars that proved decisive in the countback calculation.

Runner-up Hardeep Rehsi also returned 37 Stableford points after an excellent gross score of 80. His round featured three birdies, nine pars, five bogeys and only one double bogey, demonstrating exceptional consistency throughout the day. His inward 39 kept him firmly in contention until the final calculations, with only countback denying him the Division A title.

Third-placed Zacharia Koech matched the leaders on 37 Stableford points, producing perhaps the most exciting opening nine of the tournament. His brilliant outward score of 35, highlighted by consecutive birdies, placed him at the summit of the leaderboard for much of the day before a tougher inward nine saw him narrowly miss out on qualification after countback.

Joe Sang and Moses Cheboi followed closely behind on 36 Stableford points, underlining the remarkable strength and competitiveness of Division A.

Division B was equally compelling. Chris Huka's winning total of 40 Stableford points stood above the field, while Rose Mwarania, competing as a sponsor guest, produced one of the day's most courageous performances to finish on 38 Stableford points. Her outstanding round earned her a special invitation to the Somabay World Grand Finale as the tournament's Best Performing Guest. Nelson Ndegwa and Violet Luchendo both finished on 37 Stableford points, with countback determining the Division B honours.

Qualification to the Somabay World Grand Finale is awarded to the best-performing eligible golfers within their respective qualifying categories, ensuring that the strongest performances on the day are rewarded. While the tournament honours recognise the Overall Winner, Overall Runner-up and divisional winners, qualification is determined by the highest eligible performers in each division in accordance with the tournament regulations.

From the Karen qualifier, Chris Huka, David Murima, Hardeep Rehsi and Nkatha Nkiiri earned automatic qualification, while Rose Mwarania received a special invitation as the tournament's Best Performing Guest.

Speaking after the tournament, Collins Were, Tournament Director of the Road to Somabay Series , said the Karen qualifier had set a new benchmark for the competition.

"Karen Country Club delivered one of the most competitive qualifiers of the series so far. The significance of countback in determining several podium positions demonstrates just how closely matched the competitors were, with every stroke proving decisive. That is exactly what the Road to Somabay is designed to achieve- creating a fair, competitive and internationally recognised pathway that rewards excellence. We congratulate our latest qualifiers and thank CIB Bank, Karen Country Club and every player who continues to make this series one of the premier amateur golf circuits in Africa."

Commercial International Bank (CIB Bank), Chief Executive Officer Titus Mwithiga reaffirmed the bank's commitment to supporting initiatives that create meaningful opportunities for amateur golfers.

"At CIB Bank, we believe in investing in platforms that inspire excellence, create opportunities and empower individuals to achieve their full potential. Our partnership with the Road to Somabay Series reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of golf while providing talented Kenyan amateur golfers with a unique opportunity to compete on the international stage. The standard of play witnessed at Karen Country Club was exceptional, and we congratulate all the competitors, particularly those who have earned the honour of representing Kenya at the Somabay World Grand Finale in Egypt. We look forward to continuing this journey as the series moves across the country."

The organisers also thanked Karen Country Club for presenting the championship course in outstanding condition and for the exceptional hospitality extended to players, officials, partners and guests throughout the event.

With another memorable qualifier successfully concluded, the Road to Somabay Series now heads to Eldoret Golf Club on 23 July 2026, where golfers from the North Rift region will battle for the next available places at the Somabay World Grand Finale. The series will then return to Nairobi for its decisive final qualifying stretch with events at Royal Nairobi Golf Club, Muthaiga Golf Club, Sigona Golf Club and Thika Sports Club, where the remaining places at the Somabay World Grand Finale will be determined.

The Karen qualifier will be remembered for the extraordinary role played by countback. Three players finished tied on 37 Stableford points in Division A, while Division B also required countback to separate the leading finishers. Those razor-thin margins highlighted the exceptional quality of the field, proving that every hole, every putt and every Stableford point mattered in the race to Egypt. It was a fitting demonstration of the spirit of the Road to Somabay Series—where excellence is rewarded, resilience is tested and every stroke has the potential to shape the journey to the World Grand Finale.

With the Road to Somabay now entering its decisive phase, every remaining qualifier will carry added significance as Kenya's finest amateur golfers compete for the last coveted places at the Somabay World Grand Finale in Egypt. Presented by Michezonet in partnership with Commercial International Bank (CIB Bank), the Road to Somabay has established itself as East Africa's premier amateur golf series, creating an unrivalled pathway to international competition while celebrating excellence, friendship and the continued growth of the game.

Results

Overall Winner: Chris Huka – 40 Stableford Points

Overall Runner-up: Nkatha Nkiiri – 38 Stableford Points

Division A Winner: David Murima – 37 Points (Countback)

Division A Runner-up: Hardeep Rehsi – 37 Points (Countback)

Division B Winner: Nelson Ndegwa – 37 Points (Countback)

Division B Runner-up: Violet Luchendo – 37 Points (Countback)

Junior Winner: Hope Oduor – 36 Stableford Points

Kenya Qualifiers to the Somabay World Grand Finale – Egypt

Chris Huka

David Murima

Hardeep Rehsi

Nkatha Nkiiri

Rose Mwarania (Best Performing Guest – Sponsor Invitation)