The Kenyan amateur golf circuit reached a historic milestone this past weekend as the NCBA Ulinzi Invitational made its debut on the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series calendar.

Staged at the Kenya Airforce Golf Club, the tournament was more than just a new fixture; it was a showcase of grit and rising talent in the 2026 season.

The championship culminated in a thrilling duel that came down to the very last hole.

Longwe emerged as the inaugural champion, playing remarkably consistent golf to finish the three-day event at four-under-par 212.

His steady rounds of 71, 71, and 70 were just enough to stave off a fierce challenge from his clubmate, Michael Warigia.

Warigia, who is currently enjoying a streak of elite form following a podium finish at the NCBA Muthaiga Open, nearly pulled off a stunning comeback.

He carded a three-under-par 69, the lowest round among the leaders, to finish a single stroke behind at 213 (-3).

Joining them on the podium was Kenya Railway’s Isaac Makokha, whose sensational second-round 68 stood out as the technical highlight of the weekend, helping him secure third place at 217 (+1).

The leader-board remained competitive through the final holes, with Windsor’s Alex Mwangi firing a closing 70 to climb into fourth place, while Richard Muthugia and John Kamaisi finished in a dead heat for fifth.

Beyond the individual accolades, the event signaled a strategic shift for the KAGC.

The series has officially broadened its horizons this season by adding both the Ulinzi Invitational and the Machakos Open to the schedule.

This expansion is a deliberate move to provide Kenya’s elite amateurs with more competitive opportunities and a rigorous platform to sharpen their skills.

This victory has also shaken up the 2026 KAGC Order of Merit.

While Jay Sandhu of Muthaiga Golf Club maintains a commanding lead at the top with 560 points, followed by the promising youngster Junaid Manji, the title race is tightening.

Defending champion John Lejirma and Rafael Leming’ani hold the third and fourth spots, but with his win at Ulinzi, Longwe has officially broken into the top five. As the season progresses, the battle for amateur supremacy is proving to be one of the most closely contested in recent years.