Africa-Press – Kenya. Four golf clubs have applied to join the Western Region Captain’s League for the 2026 season.
Kisii Sports Club chairman Adrian Monari said the applications from Kitale, Naivasha, Nakuru, and Njoro will be considered during the regional Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled in Kisii on January 10. Ahead of the AGM, golfers will compete in a ‘grand finale’.
The league currently features six clubs: Kisii Sports Club, Nyanza Club, Kakamega Sports Club, Nandi Bears Club, Kericho Club, and Eldoret Club. “The league is robust. After just two seasons, four more clubs have applied to join this year, which will make the league more competitive,” Monari said.
Monari added that Kisii Sports Club aims to defend its Western Conference League title, which it won last year. Kericho Club won the inaugural edition of the league in 2024.
Speaking to The Star after the End-of-Year Members Challenge, Monari said the club intends to grow participation, particularly among junior golfers, in 2026.
“Over 40 juniors were trained in 2025 with the support of the Junior Golf Foundation. This year, we want to double the numbers because these juniors are our future,” he said.
He added that the club leadership is also focused on improving the golf course. “We want to increase sand bunkers, add water features, and have irrigation for the greens. We also hope the Kenya Golf Union will re-rate the course,” Monari said.
According to Monari, 2025 saw significant developments at the course, including the introduction of hazards, sand bunkers, extended tee boxes, tree planting, and bridges to enhance player safety.
Last year’s highlights, he said, included hosting the inaugural Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Kisii Open, known as the Shabana Open, the first-ever Ladies Golf of the Year (GOTY) Western Region tournament, and the first Western Junior Open.
“We are on track to make Kisii Sports Club an excellent golfing hub in the region,” Monari said.
At the End-of-Year Members Challenge, Elizabeth Mose emerged as the overall winner. Playing off a handicap of 15, she scored a stableford 37 points, outperforming a field of 40 golfers.
Geoffrey Karioki was the first runner-up with 34 points, while Dick Nyagaka finished second runner-up with 33 points.
In other categories, veteran golfer Christopher Maato, with a handicap of eight, won the men’s category with 35 points. Sharon Moraa was the ladies’ winner with 25 points. Moses Momanyi took the senior category with 36 points, and Terrence Kito was the junior winner with 33 points.
For the nine-hole competitions, Adrian Monari won the first nine with 17 points, and Andrew Nyanusi won the second nine, also with 17 points. The Best Effort Award went to Juliet Ongwae, who scored 12 points.
