Anticipation high ahead of Kabete Open golf tournament

The 2024 Kabete Open defending champion Adel Balala in past action at Limuru Country Club, July 6, 2025. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Precision meets passion this Friday as the 12th Kabete Open begins, featuring a stellar assembly of 90 amateur golfers from around the world, all with a minimum handicap index of 5.4, the lowest in the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship KAGC, formerly the Golfer of the Year Goty series.

This event marks the beginning of the Kenyan Swing series, bringing together elite amateur golfers across the world as they vie for crucial World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and KAGC points.

The three-day duel, which tees off on July 18-20, at the Vet Lab Golf Club layout is billed as one of the biggest KAGC events based on the handicap index, being the meanest since the formation of the Kenya Golf Union KGU in 1928.

The Muthaiga Open and Sigona Bowl, staged at the Muthaiga Golf Club and Sigona Golf Club, respectively, have had lower handicap entry cuts, with the 2024 Limuru Open having a 5.8 handicap limit as the lowest so far.

SK Mwaura, a veteran golf referee and administrator, states that the Kabete Open and Sigona Bowl have been closely contested tournaments, especially since Vetlab expanded to 18 holes approximately 20 years ago.

Adding, "The message for the low cutoff is clear, and the lower it is, the merrier and more competitive the quality of play is."

This year's meet has attracted an impressive field from the local scene and beyond, including players from the host country, Kenya, as well as Mauritius, India, South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, Burundi, Austria, and Rwanda.

Alain Niyonkuru from Kigali Golf Club in Rwanda has the lowest handicap at -0.5. Following him on the entry list is Pranay Kapur, an Indian amateur based at the Royal Johannesburg Golf Club in South Africa. The highest-ranked Kenyan player is John Lejirma from the Royal Nairobi Golf Club (Kenya's top amateur), Michael Karanga of St Andrews - Ndumberi Golf Club, home player Ebil Omolo, and the defending champion, Adel Balala, among others.

The tournament will also feature top Kenyan Lady golfers, including Chanelle Wangari, Kanana Muthomi, Bianca Ngecu, Joyce Njuguini, Mercy Nyanchama, Margaret Njoki, Kellie Gachaga and Cherono Kipkorir, among others.

All players will compete in two rounds, with the top 33 plus ties advancing to the final round. The tournament boasts a Shs 500,000 prize fund, and the winner pockets Shs 115,000.

After the Kabete Open, the players will move on to Sigona Golf Club for the Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship on July 24 to 27, before heading back to Vetlab for the Kenya Amateur Strokeplay Championship on July 31 to August 3.

"We are deeply grateful to the players for the commitment and continued support of the NCBA KAGC Series. Their dedication truly elevates the standards of amateur golf in the region," said Brian Akun, Tournament Director.