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Machakos Golf Club’s Julius Kioko books ticket to Lekoa Classic
Julius Kioko of Machakos Golf Club displays his trophy after emerging the overall winner during the ICEA Lion King of the course grand finale at Nyali Golf and Country Club in Mombasa on October 26, 2025.
What you need to know:
- The ICEA Lion King of the course attracted a field of 260 golfers at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club in Mombasa.
- Lady golfer Cheruto Serem bagged 47 points to claim the overall title and also book herself a ticket to the 2026 grand finale.
Early preparation and prior knowledge of the Nyali course, paid off for Machakos Golf Club’s Julius Kioko who beat five other contestants in the 2025 ICEA Lion King Of the Course Winner of Winners category, to book a ticket to South Africa for next year’s Lekoa Classic.
Playing in the grand finale of the ICEA Lion King of the course which attracted a field of 260 golfers at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club in Mombasa on Saturday, handicap 19 Kioko, who was the first golfer to qualify for the grand finale in January at Machakos, fired an impressive 40 stable ford points to be crowned the 2025 King of the Course Champion.
“I came here last month to have a look at the course here at Nyali, where I played two rounds. That gave me a rough idea of the course’s most challenging areas. But I above all, I also had a test of the course prior to the finale, and I think that is the reason why I played well,’’ said Kioko.
All expenses paid trip
He said he will continue preparing for the trip to South Africa by playing more and more local events in order to also defend his King of The Course title in Machakos before embarking on the all expenses paid trip to South Africa, courtesy of ICEA Lion.
Of the five other Winner of Winners contestants, Nandi Bears Club’s Michael Kuto was second on 33 points, while home player Omar Swaleh brought home 32, and Thika Greens Bernard Muthuka shot 30 and Nanyuki’s Purity Githui and Ruiruu’s Felista Mativo could only manage 25 and 21 points.
On the other category, lady golfer Cheruto Serem brought home 47 points, to claim the overall title and also book herself a ticket to the 2026 grand finale.