The Junior Golf Foundation-Kenya (JGF) has selected a team of 22 junior golfers to participate in a training camp starting next week, in preparation for upcoming international competitions. The provisional squad consists of 12 boys and 10 girls, chosen based on their performance over the past year.
JGF trustee Vincent Mukiri highlighted the importance of the order of merit in identifying the top players.
“The order of merit was crucial in identifying the top players,” Mukiri stated. This selection process ensures that the best-performing young golfers have the opportunity to further hone their skills and represent Kenya on an international stage. The training camp is expected to provide intensive coaching and development opportunities to prepare the juniors for the challenges ahead.
“From the provisional squad, we will have a team that can represent Kenya in the various junior competitions.
We hope to involve some of these juniors in select seniors’ competitions. We already know who we can consider instead of just trying to get ready when the competition is about to begin,” he explained.
In the last NCBA US Kids Local Tour tournament held at the Muthaiga Golf Club, four junior players showcased their exceptional skills by playing level par or under, highlighting the significant improvements in their game.
The standout performer of the tournament was Kanana Muthomi, who excelled in the girls’ 11-12 years old category with an impressive score of three under par 69.
Kanana’s performance was particularly notable for her remarkable recovery after a challenging first nine holes.
She recorded only one birdie and three bogeys in the first half of her round. However, she made a stunning comeback on the second nine, playing flawlessly with three birdies and an eagle, resulting in an outstanding five under par for those nine holes.
This performance by Kanana and the other junior golfers underscores the growing talent and competitiveness among young players in Kenya, promising a bright future for the sport in the country.
“My putts weren’t sinking in the first nine and I made a lot of mistakes. But in the second nine, my course management and putting improved and I played some good golf,” she said.
Aryan Patel won the boys six and under category with a score of -1. Three other players, Maahir Patel (boys 13-14 years), Ivan Ng’eno (8 years) and Ashley Gachora (girls 9-10 years) all played level par.
“It was a game of mixed emotions. I had a bad double bogey at hole number 15 and I got very angry. I think my mind was not in the game at that stage. But everything just turned around in the last hole, where I got an eagle,” said a beaming Ashley.
Following the success of the US Kids tournament, NCBA now plans to spread the game to the kids who ordinarily would not have access to the sport or have no opportunity to pick up the sport.
“When we started this journey, it was about the belief that we must give back to the community and one of our ways of giving is to develop these junior golfers for the future of golf for Kenyans.
We have seen about 3000 kids playing across the country and now calling themselves golfers,” said NCBA Group managing director John Gachora. The event held at Muthaiga on Sunday attracted 186 kids.
