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The Nairobian

Elite golfers to battle for Sh500,000 prize at Winston Churchill Cup

Golf

By Mose Sammy | Apr 04, 2025

Winston Churchill Cup 2024 defending Champion Elvis Muigua in past action at Vet Labs Sports Club, July 20, 2024. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

The crème de la crème of amateur golf will gather at the Thika Sports Club for the 78th edition of the Winston Churchill Cup, which tees off from Friday to Sunday.

This year, a competitive field of 78 elite golfers, with a handicap limit of 10.2, will participate in the oversubscribed tournament, which boasts a prize fund of Sh500,000. The prize pool is made possible by NCBA, which contributed Sh174,000, along with co-sponsors TSC Management, Fidelity Healthguard, and Grayson.

Defending champion Elvis Muigua from Kiambu Golf Club is ready to defend his title against some of the best players in the sport.

“I have been playing well lately, with a commendable scoring average over my last four games, and my swing is in excellent shape. I will do my best to defend my title, and it won’t be an easy ride for the rest of the field,” said Muigua.

John Lejirma from Royal Nairobi Golf Club, fresh from winning the inaugural Shabana Cup held over the weekend at Kisii Sports Club, is also a strong contender.

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Lejirma has been consistently shooting under par and is in great form, having won at four-under in Kisii. He led the ongoing Sunshine Tour Q-School tournament at the Great Rift Valley Lodge at six-under on Wednesday but will not be competing at the Thika event.

“The chances of me playing are slim because if I qualify for the Sunshine Development Tour event at GVRL, I will be travelling to South Africa next week for the final qualifier,” Lejirma explained.

Other notable absentees include Ugandan players who recently outclassed Kenya to reclaim the Victoria Cup at Mt. Kipipiri Golf Course a fortnight ago.

However, Rwanda’s Jean D’amour and Didas Ndindabahizi will be in contention for a share of the prize fund.

Host captain Walter Njenga has assured players of a memorable golfing experience, noting that the course is in impeccable condition.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Marucha and Ibrahim Karanja will host their Chairman’s Prizes at Kenya Railway Golf Club and Naivasha Sports Club, respectively, offering an array of exciting prizes for participants.