Home player Elly Barno retains Nandi Bears Open Shield crown

Elly Barno, a home player, took full advantage of the absence of Kenya’s top amateurs, John Lejirmah, Michael Karanga and Elvis Muigua, to retain the Nandi Bears Open Shield title.

Lejirmah, Karanga and Muigua missed Sunday’s Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series event at the Nandi Bears Golf Club, as they were competing in the Africa Region 4 championship in Madagascar.

Despite posting a birdie-less round of 77, having started with 74 and 70, Barno’s total of five over par (221) was enough to beat long hitter Daniel Kiragu of Muthaiga by three shots. Kiragu shot rounds of 73, 77 and 74, finishing with a total of eight over par (224), one shot better than Golf Park’s Amos Odongo, who finished on 225 gross.

Another Nandi player, Nelson Koech, tied for fourth place with Sammy Mulama of Golf Park on 228. In addition to winning the Shield, Barno earned 100 points towards the KAGC series Order of Merit, as well as Sh92,500.

This victory puts Barno in ninth place in the overall Order of Merit. The action shifts to the Royal Nairobi Golf Club this weekend for the Uhuru Shield.

Meanwhile, another top Kenyan amateur, Kevin Juma, posted a gross round of 76 to win the Overall Title at the fifth edition of the NCBA Golf Series during Friday’s grand finale at Muthaiga Golf Club, which has a par of 71.

Juma, who plays off handicap four and is a Royal Nairobi Golf Club player, emerged as the winner in a closely contested round that brought together 90 players from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. The field featured some of the best amateurs from the region, all battling for one of the most prestigious golfing titles in East Africa.

“This victory means a lot to me because the NCBA Golf Series brings together some of the strongest players in the region,” said Juma.

He added: “The Muthaiga course was as demanding as ever, so I had to focus on every shot. I tried to stay patient and play my game, especially on the back nine, where conditions were tough. I am grateful for the opportunity to compete at this level.”

Apart from the trophy, Juma, who had earlier won the Overall Men’s title at his home club’s leg of the series in September, took home a cash prize of Sh 130,000, an air ticket to London courtesy of Kenya Airways, a signature leather bag from Sandstorm and a bottle of Johnnie Walker courtesy of EABL.

Coming in closely behind him was Vet Lab Sports Club’s John Odhiambo, playing off handicap three, who carded 76 gross but lost on countback due to Juma’s lower handicap.

Odhiambo, who also secured his ticket to the Grand Finale by winning his home club leg, walked home with Sh 130,000, an air ticket to Mauritius courtesy of Kenya Airways, a Sandstorm signature bag and a bottle of Johnnie Walker.

Vet Lab is also another champion through Mary Karano, who claimed the Overall Lady Winner title. Playing off handicap 12, she carded an impressive 79 gross to secure her place among the top performers of the tournament. Karano also earned Sh 130,000, an air ticket to South Africa courtesy of Kenya Airways, a Sandstorm bag and a Johnnie Walker bottle.

At Vet Lab Sports, Overall winner: Rose Catherine and Rehema Mohammed beating Eric Wakarima and James Karutu 4 and 3 during the 2025 Tilley Rose Bowl final, while in the Subsidiary Winner: Handicap nine David Evans posted 42 to win ahead of second-placed Shubh Shah on 41 who beat Ebill Omollo on countback.

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