Teenager Cherono Kipkorir Wins Again as NCBA Golf Series 2026 Tees Off at Royal Nairobi
By Admin
Nairobi, Sunday, Feb 01, 2026: Teenage sensation Cherono Kipkorir once again underlined her class on the NCBA Golf Series stage after clinching her third Overall Gross Lady title at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club qualifier on Saturday, January 31, as the 2026 season officially got underway.
Kipkorir, who previously won the same category during the club’s 2021 and 2025 qualifying legs, returned a score of 80 off handicap 3 to claim top honours in the ladies’ gross category, continuing her impressive dominance in the series.
Despite emerging on top, the youngster noted that she did not have the best round on the course.
“It wasn’t a good round for me today,” said Kipkorir. “I struggled with a few things on the course, especially my swing, and didn’t play the way I wanted to. I made some mistakes that cost me strokes, and I know I can do much better than that. I’ll go back, work on those areas, and try to improve.”
The Royal Nairobi qualifier attracted 262 golfers, all competing in the Stableford format across multiple divisions as they sought qualification slots for the NCBA Golf Series 2026 Grand Finale.
In the men’s category, Tonny Tugee emerged as the Overall Gross Men Winner after carding a solid 73 off handicap 8. James Kamenchu finished as the Gross Men Runner-Up with a score of 75, while Cherise Wachira secured the Gross Lady Runner-Up position on 82.
Edwin Kinisu was third with a score of 76, followed by Charles Kariuki in fourth on 77, while Junior Coast Open reigning champion Mwathi Gicheru claimed the Junior Winner award after returning a score of 81 off handicap 1.
Cherono, Tugee, Kamenchu, Wachira, Kinisu, Kariuki, and Gicheru became the first seven golfers to book their slots for the Grand Finale set for November this year.
NCBA Kenya Managing Director James Gossip. said, “We are proud to see the 2026 NCBA Golf Series get underway at Royal Nairobi Golf Club, a venue that holds great significance in Kenya’s golfing landscape. The strong turnout at Royal Nairobi and the quality of play we witnessed reaffirm our commitment to investing in golf across the region. This series is about growing the game, supporting clubs and communities, and creating opportunities for golfers at every level, from juniors to elite players.”
In Division II, Josiah Mutai claimed the men’s title with a score of 66, while Liqing Yang emerged as the ladies’ winner on 68. Kelvin Nga’nga topped Division III (Handicap 25+) with a score of 69.
In the supplementary categories, Peter Mbugua won the Guest Prize after carding 76, while Charles Omondi claimed the Staff Winner accolade with a score of 72.
The Royal Nairobi qualifier marked a strong start to the 2026 NCBA Golf Series and came on the back of the reopening of the redesigned 10th and 11th holes, which had been closed for approximately eight months to allow for extensive upgrade works supported by NCBA.
Up next on the calendar is the Kericho Golf Club Mug set for February 7.
