Teen golfer Muthomi dreams big after Ladies Open success

Junior golfer Kanana Muthomi put up a brave fight, to floor a star field of over 100 leading ladies golfers during the 2025 Muthaiga Ladies Open, a Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) Golfer of The Year event at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club course on Sunday.

A winner of several junior events, Muthomi from Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club who is currently ranked 619th in the World Amateur Rankings, fired an excellent two under par 69 gross, to claim the 'A' division title.

“Today the course was in great condition, but more or less would like to thank my playing partners Kellie Gachaga, Joyce Wanjiru and Bianca Ngecu. They really gave me a good challenge as they were playing well and I think that is what made me bring a good score today’’ said Muthomi, 12.

Last year, she almost caused a major upset when she led for two rounds in the 54-hole Ladies Stroke Play Championship before she was overpowered by Kiambu’s Joyce Wanjiru, who clinched the title with seven over par 223 gross.

In March, Muthomi delivered an outstanding performance during the first NCBA Inter-Schools tournament.

“I would like to thank my parents for their support and for bringing me here to play in this well organized event’’ added Muthomi who beat Njoro Country Club’s Mercy Nyanchama and Kiambu’s Joyce Wanjiru by four shots. The two took the second and third prizes while home player Kellie Gachaga was fourth on 75 gross.

“I am very happy for Kanana’s performance today. She is definitely a very promising player with more support and playing more of these events, she will definitely by the kenya champion soon’’ said Joyce Wanjiru, who was chasing her fifth Golfer of The Year title, having already bagged four out of nine tournaments so far.

Claiming the 'B' division title in the tournament sponsored by NCBA-IG Insurance, and Dhow CSD-the digital investments platform for government bonds and bills, was Christine Nganga who shot 86 gross.

In the nett section, Jackline Sirai clinched the 'A' division nett title on 66, winning by three shots better than Nyambura Gatimu.

Winning the 'B' division nett was Mercy Kinyanjui with an impressive 64 nett, one shot better than Imelda Mutiso on 65 nett.

NCBA Golf Series

Meanwhile the team of Evans Kirui and Josephine Chesang put up a brilliant display to emerge the overall gross winners during the Kitale Golf Club leg of the 2025 NCBA Golf Series on Saturday.

The two winners led a contingent of four other golfers in qualifying for the Grand Finale of the 2025 Series set for later this year, where they will be hoping to fly the club’s flag high again.

Kirui, playing off handicap 11, delivered a composed round to emerge as the Overall Gross Men Winner with a score of 81, winning another accolade with the Longest Drive among men in the process.

On her part, 2023 Grand Finale Ladies Nett winner Chesang carded 95 gross playing off handicap 23 to emerge the top lady for the day and book another shot at destiny in the grand finale.

In Division II, Michael Chege playing off handicap 24 and Josephine Njeri (handicap 22) topped the men’s and ladies’ leaderboards with 37 and 33 points respectively, while Ann Atieno (handicap 27) emerged the overall Division III winner after returning 42 points.

Just like he did in 2022, Carlos Wakoli bossed the junior category, playing off handicap 20, and returned 27 points to win the category and book a slot at the Grand Finale yet again.

Kirui, Chesang, Chege, Njeri, Atieno, and Wakoli join the list of players who have already secured their slots for the coveted 2025 NCBA Golf Series Grand Finale.