Kellie Gachanga in action during the 2025 Kiambu Open at Kiambu Golf Club, May 9, 2025. [Mose Sammy, Standard]
The 98th edition of Coronation and Bendor Trophies is billed as the biggest in the event’s history, kicking off this Friday at the 102-year-old Nakuru Golf Club.
A record-breaking 111 players registered for this year’s tournament, with a handicap limit of 18 for Coronation and 28 for Bendor. Among the participants are 11 players with handicap indexes below zero.
They will compete for a share of the Shs 700,000 prize fund and earn vital points that will count towards their rankings for both the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC).
The stage is set for exciting competition, with Royal Nairobi Golf Club’s John Lejirma determined to dethrone defending champion Michael Karanga, who was a no-show at the just concluded Ronald Marshal and Toby Gibson last weekend at Njoro Country Club ,which Lejirma won.
Lejirma has made it clear that he intends to challenge Karanga in Nakuru.
Royal Nairobi Golf Club player John Lejirma in action on the third day of the Sunshine Development Tour Qualifying School at the Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort in Naivasha on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. [SUNSHINE TOUR]
Other notable players include past winner Dennis Maara of Limuru and Karanga, who has won the trophy twice, in 2023 and last year.
Additionally, a bevvy of nine beauties will be strutting the course to challenge the rest of the pack for a share of the kitty and the overall title.
They include Kellie Gachanga, Mercy Nyanchama, Naomi Wafula, and Joyce Njuguini.
Others are Ashley Awuor, Diana Mbuba, Emma Pennington and Frankie Gichuru.
Impeccable course conditions, coupled with rain pounding the region, the greens are biting well, with most players expected to shoot in the reds.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy will celebrate its 20th anniversary by hosting golfers at the nine-hole Nanyuki Sports Club, with sponsorship from GT Bank, Fairmont Mt Kenya Safari Club and Kenya Airways.
Captain Mike Mworia alluded that the tournament will be one of the biggest tournaments in the region this golfing calendar year, with a combination of competitive play and a deep sense of purpose. Players will rally behind a cause that has for two decades protected some of the planet’s most endangered species, including the last two remaining northern white rhinos.
Meanwhile, the Sigona Golf Club will host the second edition of the Mulembe Alpha Golf Tournament, which has been organised by the virtual Mulembe Golf Society. According to Captain George Eshuchi, “It will be another day full of networking opportunities and camaraderie capped with amazing prizes for the winner.”
With nine tournaments lined up for this year, culminating at the Kitale Golf Club, which shall host this society’s homecoming tournament this year.
The society’s focus for this year is bolstering Junior Golf.
Mose Sammy
| May 29, 2025