Jay Sandhu after winning the 2026 NCBA Limuru Open on Sunday/HANDOUT
The battle for tickets to the 2027 Magical Kenya Open (MKO) takes centre stage this week as the 49th NCBA Kenya Amateur Strokeplay Championship tees off on Thursday at Royal Nairobi Golf Club.
As with recent editions, the four-day event offers the winner direct qualification to the MKO, granting top amateurs the chance to compete alongside DP World Tour professionals.
The tournament features an elite international field with golfers from Kenya, Zambia, India, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Ghana, and China.
Defending champion Jay Sandhu leads the pack in peak form after sweeping last weekend’s NCBA Limuru Open and Brackenhurst Trophy. The 45-year-old Muthaiga Golf Club player currently tops the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Order of Merit and aims to retain the title he won last year at VetLab Sports Club.
“I want to win the Kenya Amateur Strokeplay Championship. I am proud to have won it last year, and I want to do it as well this year and have bragging rights. I plan to work hard and experiment a lot during the tournament,” Sandhu said.
Sandhu faces tough opposition from 2024 champion William Odek, alongside leading amateurs Ebil Omollo, Junaid Manji, Gilbert Chalwe, John Kamais, and Elvis Muigua. In addition to MKO qualification, players are competing for a share of the Sh700,000 prize purse, as well as crucial KAGC and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points.
Kenya Golf Union Chairman Brian Akun highlighted the event’s role in player development, saying: “The NCBA Kenya Amateur Strokeplay Championship has become one of the flagship events on our calendar, consistently attracting the best amateur golfers from Kenya and across the region, with an opportunity to qualify for the 2027 Magical Kenya Open playing a crucial role.”
“That opportunity raises the stakes even higher and reflects the continued efforts to create a clear pathway for amateur golfers to compete at the highest level. We are grateful to NCBA for their unwavering support in growing amateur golf and providing players with meaningful opportunities to develop their careers.”
NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting local talent.
“At NCBA, we remain committed to supporting golf development by investing in competitions that nurture talent and create opportunities for players to progress,” said Gachora.
“The Kenya Amateur Strokeplay Championship perfectly aligns with that vision by bringing together elite amateur golfers and offering them a chance to compete for one of the biggest opportunities in Kenyan golf, qualification to the Magical Kenya Open. We wish all the participants the very best as they compete for this historic milestone.”
Meanwhile, action shifts to Malindi Golf Club for the Monthly Mug, serving as a mini-qualifier for the NCBA Golf Series Grand Finale set for November 28 at Karen Country Club.
Finalist slots will be awarded to the Overall Gross Winner, Men’s Gross Winner, Lady Gross Winner, Division 2 Men Winner, Division 2 Lady Winner, Division 3 Winner, and the leading Junior.
