Josphat Rono Clinches Maiden NCBA Trans Nzoia Golf Championship Title at Kitale

Golf Park’s Josphat Rono claimed his first ever NCBA Trans Nzoia Open title with an impressive show of skill and resilience, at the scenic par-73 Kitale Golf Club.

The tournament is part of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) series, sponsored by NCBA Bank.

Rono, who won the 2024 Golf Park Open, fired rounds of 75, 69, and 76 for a tournament total of one-over-par 220, edging out first-round leader Isaac Makokha of Kenya Railways Golf Club by two strokes.

Makokha, who had opened strongly with a 73, followed it with rounds of 76 and 73 to settle for second place at 222.

Nakuru’s John Kamais produced a late surge with the lowest round of the final day—a 71—to finish third on a total of 225, six-over-par for the tournament.

It was a close contest throughout the top 10. Golf Park’s Sammy Mulama finished fourth with steady rounds of 75, 76, and 75 for a total of 226.

Geoffrey Karioki from Kisii followed in fifth place, posting rounds of 78, 74, and 76 to total 228.

Eldoret’s Kenneth Serem came in sixth with rounds of 76, 74, and 79, finishing on 229. A tie for seventh place saw Eugine Wafula of Muthaiga and Raphael Leming’ani of Golf Park both card totals of 230, with Wafula’s performance highlighted by a brilliant second round 71.

Elly Barno from Nandi Bears finished ninth after returning rounds of 76, 77, and 78 for a total of 231, while home player Wilson Wafula closed the top 10 after rounds of 74, 79, and 79, totaling 232.

For his victory, Rono pocketed Ksh 63,700 from the Ksh 174,000 prize fund sponsored by NCBA Bank.

Speaking after his triumph, an elated Josphat Rono said: “This means so much to me. I have been working hard on my game and to finally win a big event like the NCBA Trans Nzoia Open is a dream come true. The conditions were tough but I stayed patient, especially during the final round. I want to thank KGU, my club Golf Park, and NCBA for supporting golf in Kenya.”

The event, recognized as part of the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), offered valuable global ranking points, enhancing the players' international profiles.

Kenya Golf Union (KGU) Dr. Kimeli Mutai, KGU North Rift Region Representative praised both the players and NCBA Bank for their continued partnership in growing the sport: “This tournament is an important stop on the KAGC circuit and it’s exciting to see players like Rono coming through. We are very grateful to NCBA for their incredible support, not just here but across the entire championship calendar. Their sponsorship is directly helping shape the future of Kenyan golf.”

The NCBA Trans Nzoia Championship remains one of the flagship events on the KAGC schedule, reinforcing Kenya’s growing stature on the global amateur golf stage.

The 2025 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship series continue with the NCBA Kiambu Open coming up next on 9-11th May 2025 at the Kiambu Golf Club.

Meanwhile, Martin Muritu and William Aluku were the standout performers at the Golf Park leg of the 2025 NCBA Golf Series, held this weekend. Both players posted an impressive 42 points, with Muritu, playing off handicap 11, emerging as the Overall Winner on countback, while Aluku (handicap 25) walked away with the Men’s Winner trophy.

Roy Shirekuli (handicap 21) followed closely in the men’s division, finishing as Men’s Runner-up with a commendable 41 points, just one shy of the leaders.

In the Ladies’ category, Nimra Devi, playing off a handicap of 32, delivered a solid performance to claim the Lady Winner title with 36 points, ahead of Audrey Khaleji (handicap 27) who finished as Runner-up with 31 points.

Among the guests, Violet Luchendo, playing off a handicap of 37, stood out with 37 points to take home the Guest Winner award, with Patrick Langat (handicap 11), claiming the Guest Runner-up position after posting 36 points.

Jared Onyach (handicap 32) topped the sponsor category to take home the Sponsor Winner trophy with 30 points.

The special prize categories saw Audrey Khaleji and Francis Mbithi win Nearest to the Pin for Ladies and Men respectively, while Diana Mbuba and John Thairu walked away with the Longest Drive awards.

The seventh leg of the ongoing series which also doubled as the club’s Monthly Mug for April attracted over 115 golfers who battled it out not only for prizes but also for qualification slots to the NCBA Golf Series Grand Finale later this year.