2026 NCBA Golf Series to tee off on January 31 at Royal Nairobi Golf Club

Pro Brian Njoroge makes a ceremonial tee off during the NCBA Golf Series launch at Karen Country Club/HANDOUT

The 2026 NCBA Golf Series has officially been launched, with the Royal Nairobi Golf Club hosting the first leg on January 31, marking the beginning of a regional tour.

The series will culminate with the Grand Finale on November 27 at the Karen Country Club. The golfing campaign will traverse Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.

The 2026 NCBA-sponsored events calendar will see a total of 166 events, two more than last year. Of those, 123 will be hosted in Kenya, 35 in Uganda, five in Tanzania and three in Rwanda.

90 will be Junior tournaments where Kenya will host 49, Uganda 32, Tanzania four, and Rwanda one. This will be the second time Rwanda will host a junior event under the NCBA umbrella. They held their maiden junior event last year.

This 2026 NCBA Golf Series, which was launched on Thursday at Karen Country Club, continues to build on five successful editions that have positioned NCBA as the leading corporate supporter of golf in the region.

NCBA announced the renewal of its partnerships with the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) and the Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) ahead of the 2026 activities, committing over Sh60 million to support these initiatives.

Under the renewed partnership, KGU will receive Sh6 million to support the 2026 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series, which teed off on Thursday with the NCBA Sigona Bowl at the Sigona Golf Club.

The Junior Golf Foundation will receive Sh12 million to support junior events throughout the year, focusing on nurturing young talent and expanding access to the game.

A total of 35 events, including 13 main qualifiers, 14 Mugs, and two Club Nites, will be held in Kenya this year, with Uganda hosting three, Rwanda two, and one in Tanzania.

Speaking during the launch, NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora said, “We are excited to launch the 2026 NCBA Golf Series. Each event is targeted at club members and customers, juniors, amateurs, and professionals and offers a platform for competition, friendship, and personal growth, reinforcing the values that bind us together as a community.”

“Our annual investment of over KES 60 million is not just a statistic; it reflects on lives touched, dreams ignited, and a legacy of excellence we are proud to nurture,” he added.

Furthermore, Gachora outlined the impact of junior golf, pledging the bank’s continued support for the budding golfers

 “This year, we will see an expanded calendar for our juniors across the region and we are happy to be at the forefront to support the Junior Golf Federation. Last year, we saw junior players triumph when they faced off against amateur golfers, and we would like to see the same trend continue this year. At NCBA, we believe that the future of golf lies in nurturing young talent.”

KGU Chairman Chris Kinuthia thanked NCBA for its continued partnership and support.

“As the Kenya Golf Union, we are delighted to continue our partnership with the NCBA Group for our 2026 activities.  Last year, we had one of the most competitive Kenya Amateur Golf Championship Series,” Kinuthia said.

He added: When we have such partnerships, the amateurs have something to play for, as the prize money is a good motivator. This collaboration highlights our shared commitment to nurturing golfing talent and promoting the sport’s growth in Kenya and beyond. We look forward to a competitive and exciting season ahead.”

JGF President Vincent Mukiri applauded NCBA’s efforts in advancing junior golf, noting, “This partnership has revolutionised junior golf development across Kenya and East Africa. It provides young golfers with vital competitive platforms, skill-building opportunities, and pathways for growth:

“When the juniors see a clear pathway being created through the different levels, just as NCBA is doing, they want to go up the levels and turn pros because they have something to look up to. Expanding junior tournaments to Rwanda and scaling events regionally demonstrates an unwavering commitment to elevating golf throughout East Africa,” he added.

The JGF-Kenya calendar is set to tee off with the NCBA U.S. Kids Golf Spring Nairobi Tour on Sunday, February 8, at the VetLab Sports Club.