Ronald Gitenge, a former caddie turned golfer, has emerged as the overall gross champion at the NCBA Bank Golf Series event held in Diani Beach. The tournament, which took place at Diamond Leisure Golf Club, saw Gitenge post a total score of 79 strokes, securing his spot in the Grand Finale on November 29 at Karen Country Club. This achievement marks a significant milestone in Gitenge's golfing career, showcasing his skills and dedication to the sport.
Gitenge outscored his closest competitors, Hiten Kumar and David Evans, who recorded 82 and 84 strokes respectively. His impressive performance not only earned him the top spot but also confirmed his status as one of the qualifiers for the season-ending Grand Finale. The final showdown will bring together the leading players from the series to compete for titles and prize money. Gitenge's win is a testament to his hard work and perseverance in the sport.
In the men's net competition, Graham Bowcher took home the overall men's net title with a score of 71. Gitenge finished second with a score of 72, while several competitors, including Sven Kampa and Ken Ndede, shared third place with a net score of 73. The ladies' net competition saw Silvia Kampa emerge as the overall champion with a score of 73, closely followed by Jane Mwai who matched that score to finish runner-up. Both Kampa and Mwai have also qualified for the Grand Finale.
The junior category champion, Craig Fassler, added his name to the qualifier list after delivering an impressive net score of 59. NCBA's Ukunda branch manager, Tito Meshack, highlighted the bank's role in fostering ambition and networking through golf. Meshack noted that the series creates valuable opportunities for participants to connect and compete with one another. The bank's involvement in the golf series has been instrumental in promoting the sport and encouraging junior involvement.
The Grand Finale, set to take place on November 29 at Karen Country Club, will award KSh130,000 each to the overall gross winner, the top male and top female net winners. The prize money will decrease for runners-up and lower placings. The Diani event was part of the 2026 NCBA Golf Series, a circuit that has visited clubs nationwide to provide competitive platforms for golfers. The series has been instrumental in promoting golf and encouraging junior involvement.
The 2026 NCBA Golf Series has been a successful circuit, providing opportunities for golfers to compete and network with one another. With the season drawing to a close, upcoming legs will give remaining golfers a final chance to earn a spot at the Karen Country Club showdown on November 29. The series has been well-received by participants, who appreciate the competitive platforms and opportunities provided by NCBA.
As the golfing community looks forward to the Grand Finale, Gitenge's win serves as a reminder of the talent and dedication that exists within Kenyan golf. The event has showcased the country's golfing prowess, and the NCBA Golf Series has played a significant role in promoting the sport. With the Grand Finale just around the corner, golfers will be vying for top spots and prize money.
Key points
- Ronald Gitenge won the overall gross title at the NCBA Golf Series Diani leg with a score of 79 strokes.
- Gitenge secured a spot in the Grand Finale on November 29 at Karen Country Club.
- The Grand Finale will award KSh130,000 to the overall gross winner, top male and top female net winners.
