Tournament · Aug 15, 2026
KCM Golf Challenge 2026
A New Chapter in Zambian Golf Excellence
For four days in June 2026, Nchanga Golf Club in Chingola became the stage for world-class professional golf as the KCM Golf Challenge brought the Sunshine Tour to the Copperbelt.
From 18–21 June, leading professionals competed on Nchanga's historic championship course, producing a tournament filled with dramatic finishes, exceptional golf, local pride and unforgettable moments. The championship ultimately went down to the final holes, with South Africa's Samuel Simpson emerging victorious at 18-under-par.
Samuel Simpson Seals a Dramatic Victory
Simpson delivered a spectacular final round of 66 to claim his third Sunshine Tour title.
The decisive moment came late in his round. An eagle on the 17th followed by a birdie on the 18th moved Simpson to 18-under-par and into the clubhouse lead, where he faced a tense wait as the final group completed their rounds.
Four players Pieter Moolman, Simon du Plooy, Oliver Goldhill and Haydn Porteous finished just one shot behind at 17-under-par, making Simpson's victory one of the closest finishes of the tournament.
The victory also continued Simpson's remarkable record in Zambia, following his 2025 Mopani Zambia Open victory and another strong performance at the 2026 Mopani Zambia Open the week before.
Celebrating the Team Behind the Champion
Golf is rarely won by the player alone, and the KCM Golf Challenge celebrated that partnership by recognising Simpson's caddie, Wes Hlope, who received the Sunshine Tour Winning Caddie Medallion.
The recognition highlighted the important role caddies play in professional golf—from course management and strategy to providing the composure and support required when championship pressure is at its highest.
Keagan Bwalya: Chingola's Homegrown Hero
One of the tournament's most inspiring stories came from Keagan Bwalya, a Chingola based amateur who earned his place among the professionals.
Bwalya opened with a 73 before producing an impressive 67 in the second round to make the cut. He went on to complete the tournament at 7-over-par, finishing tied 60th and, importantly, as the only amateur in the field to make the cut.
His performance gave local golf fans a player to cheer for and demonstrated the potential of Zambia's emerging golfing talent. For young golfers watching from the sidelines, Bwalya's achievement provided a powerful reminder that the journey from amateur golf to competing alongside Sunshine Tour professionals is possible.
More Than a Tournament
The KCM Golf Challenge was more than four days of competition. It was a celebration of golf, community and Chingola.
Nchanga Golf Club welcomed players, spectators, families, sponsors, volunteers and golf enthusiasts, creating an atmosphere that extended well beyond the competition itself. The tournament also featured a junior golf clinic that engaged more than 60 young golfers from across the Copperbelt, giving them an opportunity to learn from professionals and experience the game at an international level.
The championship also produced another memorable moment when Christiaan Burke recorded a hole-in-one on the 150-metre ninth hole, becoming the fourth player to make an ace on the Sunshine Tour that season.
For the people of Chingola, the tournament offered the opportunity to see some of Southern Africa's finest golfers competing on home soil while showcasing the city's hospitality and Nchanga Golf Club's ability to host professional golf at the highest level.
A Legacy for the Future
The 2026 KCM Golf Challenge added another important chapter to Nchanga Golf Club's long championship history.
From its establishment in 1936 to its decades of hosting major tournaments, Nchanga has consistently provided a stage where golfers can test themselves, compete and create lasting memories. The KCM Golf Challenge continues that tradition while opening new opportunities for young golfers and strengthening the connection between professional sport and the wider Chingola community.
As Samuel Simpson lifted the trophy after a thrilling final round, the tournament left behind more than a champion. It left inspiration for young golfers, pride for the people of Chingola and another memorable chapter in the story of Nchanga Golf Club.
Nchanga Golf Club est. 1936
Where Champions Are Made, and Memories Last.
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Tournament · Aug 15, 2026
Growing the Game: The KCM Golf Challenge Junior Clinic 2026
Inspiring the Next Generation at Nchanga Golf Club
The 2026 KCM Golf Challenge was about more than professional competition. While some of Southern Africa's finest golfers battled for the Sunshine Tour title at Nchanga Golf Club, another important story was unfolding on the course the opportunity for young golfers to learn from the best and imagine a future in the game.
As part of the tournament programme, more than 60 young golfers from across the Copperbelt took part in a dedicated Junior Golf Clinic, giving them an opportunity to learn, practise and interact with Sunshine Tour professionals.
Learning From the Professionals
For the young participants, the clinic offered something that goes beyond ordinary golf practice. They were able to experience the atmosphere of a professional tournament while receiving guidance and encouragement from golfers competing at the highest level of the game.
The clinic provided an opportunity to focus on fundamental aspects of golf while encouraging the children to develop confidence, discipline and enjoyment of the sport.
At Nchanga Golf Club, we believe that exposure matters. Seeing professional golfers compete on our course and then having the opportunity to learn from them creates a powerful connection between today's young players and the possibilities that lie ahead.
Making Golf More Accessible
Junior development is an important part of the future of golf in Zambia. For a sport that has historically been perceived as exclusive, initiatives such as the KCM Golf Challenge Junior Clinic help bring the game closer to young people and demonstrate that there is a place for them on the fairways.
The clinic also complemented Nchanga Golf Club's wider efforts to revive and strengthen junior golf, creating opportunities for children to learn the game in a structured and supportive environment.
The club's commitment to junior development is part of a much longer tradition. Nchanga has previously produced and supported promising young golfers, demonstrating that with access, mentorship and opportunity, local talent can flourish.
A Lesson Beyond the Golf Course
Golf teaches lessons that extend well beyond the scorecard.
Patience, concentration, discipline, resilience, honesty and respect are all fundamental to the game. Introducing children to these values through sport can help build confidence and character that they carry into school, family life and their wider communities.
The clinic therefore represented more than an afternoon of golf instruction. It was an investment in young people and an opportunity to show them that their ambitions can take them further than they may imagine.
A Legacy of Opportunity
The KCM Golf Challenge itself attracted a field of 132 golfers competing for US$150,000 in prize money and Sunshine Tour points, placing Nchanga Golf Club at the centre of professional golf in Southern Africa.
For the young golfers watching and learning during the clinic, the tournament provided a glimpse of what competitive golf can become.
They saw professionals challenge one another on a championship course. They experienced the atmosphere surrounding an international tournament. Most importantly, they were reminded that every professional golfer once had to learn the basics.
The presence of more than 60 young golfers from across the Copperbelt made the clinic one of the most meaningful aspects of the tournament not because of trophies or prize money but because of the potential represented by every young participant.
Building the Future of Zambian Golf
The KCM Golf Challenge Junior Clinic reflects a shared belief that the future of Zambian golf depends on creating opportunities for young people today.
Nchanga Golf Club is proud to be part of that journey.
As a club with a history dating back to 1936, our responsibility is not only to preserve the traditions of golf but also to ensure that those traditions have a future.
The young golfers who stepped onto the course during the 2026 clinic may be beginners today. Some may become competitive amateurs. Others may simply discover a lifelong love for the game.
And perhaps, among them, is Zambia's next Sunshine Tour champion.
The future of golf starts with giving young people the opportunity to pick up a club, step onto the course and believe that they belong there.
Nchanga Golf Club
Where Champions Are Made, and Memories Last.
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Social · Aug 15, 2026
KCM MARATHON 2026
Manja Pamodzi — Together, We Can Achieve Great Things
On 23 May 2026, the fairways and grounds of Nchanga Golf Club became the centre of one of Chingola's biggest community sporting celebrations as thousands of runners, families, athletes, fitness enthusiasts and supporters came together for the KCM Marathon 2026.
Proudly sponsored by Konkola Copper Mines Plc, the marathon brought the spirit of “Manja Pamodzi” Together, We Can Achieve Great Things to life, transforming race day into a celebration of health, endurance, unity and community.
The event started at 05:00, with Nchanga Golf Club serving as the official venue and starting point.
A Marathon for Everyone
The 2026 edition was designed to make participation accessible to people with different abilities and levels of experience. The programme included the 5km, 10km, 15km, 21km and 42km races, alongside an Executive Walk, a children's event and a dedicated category for differently abled participants.
From seasoned athletes taking on the full marathon to children experiencing the excitement of organised running for the first time, the event created a platform where everyone could participate in their own way.
The response from Chingola was remarkable. Registrations ultimately sold out, with all available places filled ahead of race day a powerful indication of the community's enthusiasm for fitness and the growing stature of the KCM Marathon.
Manja Pamodzi: The Spirit of the Marathon
The 2026 theme captured the essence of the event perfectly.
Manja Pamodzi is about recognising that some of our greatest achievements are possible when we work together. On race day, this spirit could be seen everywhere from runners encouraging one another along the route to volunteers, medical teams, marshals, sponsors, families and spectators working together to create a successful event.
KCM described sport as a powerful force for bringing communities together, highlighting its ability to transcend differences and create shared experiences. The company contributed US$40,000 towards the 2026 marathon, with the event forming part of its wider commitment to community development and social impact.
More Than a Race
The KCM Marathon was conceived as more than a sporting competition.
At its heart was a commitment to health, wellness and community development. The event encouraged participants to become more physically active while creating an environment where families, corporate teams, professional athletes and recreational runners could share the same starting line.
Participants were supported by organised routes, hydration stations, medical assistance and race marshals, helping create a safe and professionally managed race experience.
For Chingola, the marathon also represented an opportunity to showcase the city and its people. The enthusiastic participation demonstrated the appetite for major sporting events that bring communities together and encourage healthier lifestyles.
Investing in Nchanga Golf Club
An important part of the 2026 marathon's legacy was its contribution to the continued development of Nchanga Golf Club.
The marathon was launched with a specific community development objective: to raise funds towards improvements to the club's infrastructure, including the development of changing rooms and other facilities.
This created a meaningful connection between the marathon and the club's wider vision. The event did not simply use Nchanga Golf Club as a venue it contributed towards developing the facility for the benefit of golfers, athletes, families and the wider community.
The marathon also continued the growing relationship between KCM and Nchanga Golf Club, which has included support for sporting development and the revival of junior golf.
A Celebration of Chingola
Perhaps the most memorable aspect of the KCM Marathon 2026 was the atmosphere created by the people of Chingola.
The course became a meeting point for people from different backgrounds and generations. Runners arrived with personal goals some chasing times, some chasing medals, and others simply determined to finish. But once the race began, everyone became part of the same story.
The sold out response, community participation and support along the route demonstrated that the KCM Marathon has developed beyond an annual race. It is becoming a community movement centred on wellness, togetherness and positive living.
A Legacy Beyond the Finish Line
As the final runners crossed the finish line, the 2026 KCM Marathon left behind more than race results.
It left memories.
It inspired people to move.
It brought families together.
It gave athletes a platform to challenge themselves.
It created opportunities for young people.
And it strengthened the connection between sport and community development in Chingola.
For Nchanga Golf Club, hosting the KCM Marathon represents another important chapter in our evolution from a historic golf institution into a vibrant community destination for sport, wellness, family and connection.
The 2026 edition proved the power of the words that defined it:
MANJA PAMODZI.
Together, We Can Achieve Great Things.
And as we look towards the future, the journey continues.
Nchanga Golf Club est. 1936
Where Champions Are Made and Memories Last.
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