Over 200 golfers to grace Thika tournament

After a short break, the ICEA LION King is set to roar again when it lands at the 18-hole par 72 Thika Greens Golf Resort championship course in Kiambu Countyon Friday.

The course with its multiple tees per hole which challenges the seasoned golfer and at the same time provides the upcoming golfer with an enjoyable course, will be hosting an estimated 200 golfers salivating for the top prizes in the second leg of this year’s tournament.

The day starts at 6.30am with player J. Karimi and two others (ANO) teeing off first from the first tee off box, and at the last flight at the same tee will be that of V. Komu, W.K. Irungu and two others at 1.45pm.

Christopher Andrea will lead three others at the tenth tee box also from 6.30am and the last at 1.46pm in the same box will be that of J. Murii, S. Itemere and two others.  

Club captain Henry Kinyua is excited that this edition of the 2025 series has attracted a large number of players.

“The course is playing well and we have assured all the players that exciting prizes have been lined up for the winners and plenty of entertainment both on and off the course. The day will be full of fun,“said Kinyua.

Staff golfer Philip Lopokoiyit from Karen Country club said they are pleased to welcome all stakeholders at Thika greens.

“The series kicked off on a high note in Machakos on January 4th which was also bigger and better, and we look forward to this great opportunity for continued engagement with our existing and potential clients together with our stakeholders,” said Lopkoiyit. 

This tournament will be the curtain raiser and tomorrow Saturday Ruiru play host to the 3^rd, leg of the series and the draw is said to have been oversubscribed.

The golf Captain of Ruiru Sports Club J.K Muraguri states, “Ruiru Sports Club is looking forward to playing host to ICEA LION King of the Course 2025 third edition tournament. It only gets better and every year is special and an opportunity for growth.”

From Ruiru, the series moves to Nanyuki Sports Club on 8 th, March 2025 before taking a break, after which it will head North to Kericho Sports Club for a curtain raising corporate tournament before it lands the following day at Nandi Bears Club 30 th, and 31^st, May.

The grand winner of the 2024 series will participate in the 2025 Lekoa Classic scheduled for 28 th, and 29 th, of March 2025 at Emfuleni Golf Estate, Heron Banks Golf and River Estate, in South Africa.

Elsewhere, the 9-hole Mombasa sea-link course will play host to the second leg of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour tomorrow (Saturday) as 100 golfers flex their muscles in the eagerly awaited tourney.

The players will brave the lush green as early as 6:30 am for the morning tee action while the afternoon tee is scheduled to kick off at 12:30 pm featuring top amateurs from Mombasa and its environs who will take part in the tournament.

Club vice-captain George Mokaya said, “It is such an honor to be part of the series for the second year running. Last year, we had a successful tournament so we expect to replicate the same this year. We have many golfers who have already booked their slots for the weekend’s action. I am looking forward to a fruitful golf action.” 

The top two teams from Saturday’s action will automatically book their places in the tour’s grand finale that is slated for December 5, 2025 and the venue will be announced ahead of the event.

The winning team will receive a KShs. 1 million cash reward that will go to a sustainability team that their club is currently undertaking and they will also get an opportunity to participate in a prestigious golf tournament.

KCB Group Director Marketing and Communications Rosalind Gichuru said, “We firmly believe that we are playing a pivotal role in pushing the golf agenda. Our involvement in the sport is aimed at providing a platform for enthusiasts to enjoy themselves while also putting Kenya on the global map as a sporting nation. Mombasa has a growing fan base of golf so it was a no-brainer for us to go back and host our tournament for the second consecutive time.”

The next leg of the Tour will be at the Nandi Bears Club on February 15, 2025.

And more action is expected to dominate Nyali golf and country club course for the Britam circuit tournament while Malindi golf and country club course in the touristic city of Kilifi County will be hosting their golfers and guests in the NCBA monthly mug tournament.