Ngeera and Mwakitawa shine at Western Junior Open in Kakamega

Justin Ngeera of VetLab Sports Club in action during the Western Region Junior Open at Kakamega Sports Club. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

Justin Ngeera and Maryam Mwakitawa held their nerve in the final round to emerge as the overall winners of the third NCBA Western Junior Open at Kakamega Sports Club over the weekend.

Ngeera, representing VetLab Sports Club, produced a strong performance over the three-day event, finishing top of the boys’ competition with a total score of 225, nine shots over par.

The 15-year-old carded 78 in the opening round before making a big improvement with a one-under-par 71 in the second round. He closed with 76 to maintain his lead and secure the overall boys’ title.

"I am happy with the win because I worked hard for it. The second round gave me confidence and I knew I had to remain focused in the final round,” Ngeera said.

His victory earned him 105 Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) Order of Merit points and underlined his growing potential among Kenya’s young golfers.

Ngeera finished 14 shots ahead of fellow VetLab player Myles Wahome, who returned 79, 75 and 85 for 239. Peter Gathogo of Nakuru Golf Club was third on 243 after rounds of 77, 80 and 86.

Wahome, however, took the Boys 16-18 Years category, while Gathogo won the Boys 14-15 Years age group.

In the girls’ competition, Mwakitawa of Sigona Golf Club also kept her place at the top to claim the overall title with 248.

She opened with 87 before producing one of the best rounds of the tournament, an even-par 72, in the second round. She finished with 89 to win by 11 shots.

Britney Nyanchera of Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club was second on 259, while VetLab’s Aarna Mengi finished third on 267.

Mwakitawa’s victory earned her 100 JGF Order of Merit points. Nyanchera, who finished second overall, won the Girls 13 & Under category, while Elsie Derek of Kakamega Sports Club took the Girls 14-15 Years title.

Other age-group winners included Jefferson Yego of Nandi Bears Club, who won the Boys 19-21 Years category, and Joyliz Wairimu of Kitale Club, who topped the Girls 16-21 Years group.

Ishaan Patel of Sigona Golf Club won the Boys 13 & Under category.

The tournament attracted 39 junior golfers from 10 clubs and was played over three rounds of 18 holes. The top 33 players and ties after two rounds advanced to the final round.

JGF Western Region representative Elizabeth Wambi praised the clubs that supported their juniors and urged them to continue giving young golfers opportunities to compete.

"We appreciate all the clubs that supported the participation of their juniors in this tournament. We encourage them to continue supporting their players’ participation in JGF tournaments, which provide important opportunities for competition and development,” Wambi said.

She also thanked Kakamega Sports Club for hosting the event and providing good facilities for the players.

Kakamega Sports Club captain Ronaldo Omondi said the club remains committed to developing junior golf but called for more training equipment.

"Kakamega Sports Club remains committed to supporting junior golfers and providing an environment where young talent can grow. However, one of the challenges we continue to face is the lack of sufficient training equipment,” Omondi said.

The event was also important because it is a World Amateur Golf Ranking event and contributes points to the JGF Order of Merit.

The juniors will now turn their attention to the North Rift Junior Open, which will be held at Kitale Club from November 13 to 15.

The Western Junior Open is one of five regional events sponsored by NCBA through its partnership with the JGF, giving young golfers across the country regular opportunities to compete and develop their skills.

At the Limuru Country Club, it was a triumph for DK Wahome with 44 stableford points to claim the 2026 Chairman John Keru prize.

"I had the privilege and challenge of helping navigate the club through two major events: Covid-19 and the loss of our clubhouse,” Keru said. “Those moments tested us. But they also showed us what Limuru Country Club is made of.”

There were fireworks on the course as impressive scores were recorded across various divisions. Ryan Njuguna took the Gross winner honours with a blistering 75 gross, while Godwin Wangongu and Faith Njenga claimed the Men’s and Ladies’ top spots with 41 and 38 stableford points respectively.

Bram Wainaina bagged the Junior title, David Nyabuto winning the Guest category, and Azu Ogola claiming the Sponsor prize.

Division honours went to Naheed Ahmed, Joy Kihanya, and David Waiganjo in the men’s categories, while Mumbi Gatu, Adah Munyendo, and Wanja Ngichu swept the ladies’ divisions.

Munyendo also doubled up by claiming the Ladies’ Longest Drive title alongside Felix Kiamba for men, as Stephen Kairu and Monica Mugure proved accurate on the greens to take the Nearest to Pin titles.

At Sigona Golf Club a packed field gathered for the highly anticipated annual Sigona Ladies Open 2026 where the dynamic pair of Archana Patel and Nolly Patel stole the spotlight.

The duo commanded the fairways with tactical finesse, carding 37 stableford points to comfortably scoop the overall winner title.

Wangare Kirathe and Jemimah Wangeci mounted an impressive challenge to claim second place with 33 stableford points. They were closely followed by a fiercely contested three-way tie at 32 stableford points, where Joyce Kemunto and Mercy Wafula secured third place, Nelly Njaga ad Kate Murima took fourth, and Yuki Cheng alongside Ngina Kairu rounded out the top five overall finishers.

Off the course, Sigona Lady Captain Rajvi Patel praised the organisation, seamless sponsorship, and spirit of camaraderie that defined the showcase, reflecting on how refreshing it felt to play the course rather than officiate it.

"This is what invitation golf is truly all about, bringing friends together, enjoying vibrant competition, and celebrating our shared love for the game,” remarked Rajvi.

Also in attendance was the Kenya Ladies Golf Union, KLGU Chairman, Mukami Wangai who echoed Rajvi’s sentiments 

"We often arrive here at the break of dawn in the cold and dark to inspect the course as referees, so stepping out today to simply celebrate friendship and great golf was incredible,” Wangai said.

[Additional reporting by Mose Sammy]