Junior golfers grace the fifth Leg of the U.S. Kids Golf Spring Local Tour in Thika

One hundred and forty-five junior golfers competed at the fifth leg of the U.S. Kids Golf Spring Local Tour, held at Thika Sports Club on 7 May 2023. The tournament was jointly organized by U.S. Kids Golf and the Junior Golf Foundation Kenya, with NCBA Bank as the sponsor.

The tournament provided an excellent opportunity for junior golfers aged between 5 and 18 years old to showcase their skills and compete against their peers in an age-appropriate competition. The players competed across different categories based on age and number of holes played.

In the boys' categories for those who played 18 holes, Ishan Samani emerged as the winner in the 15–18-year-old age group with 88 gross. Kushagra Sharma secured second place with an 89 gross, while Kiunjuri Mathu finished in third place with a 90 gross.

Meanwhile, in the 13–14-year-old age group, Shashwat Harish was declared the winner with 76 gross, followed by Tsevi Soni with 80 gross in second place and Ronan Patel with 84 gross in third place

In the 12-year-old age group, Andrew Gathere took the top spot with 74 gross, while Tsorav Soni came in second with 76 gross, and Justin Ngeera finished third with 81 gross.

Amar Shah starred in the 11-year-old age group, securing first place with 73 gross, followed by Shay Chauhan with 86 gross in second place, and Alpha Ndungu Njenga with 91 gross in third place.

In the younger boys' categories for those who played 9 holes, Gitonga Gitobu won with 39 gross in the 10-year-old age group, while Adam Nesbitt emerged as the winner with 41 gross in the 9-year-old age group. Jeff Kibe won the 8-year-old age group with 43 gross, Ivan Kipyegon Kimutai finished first in the 7-year-old age group with 41 gross, and Trevvy Mungai emerged as the winner with 41 gross in the 6-year-old and under age group.

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In the girls' categories for those who played 18 holes, Antonia Mbuthia and Cherise Wachira both scored 93 gross, but Mbuthia was declared the winner in the 15–18-year-old age group on countback. Hazel Kuria finished in third place with 104 gross.

In the 13–14-year-old age group, Navya Nagda and Cherono Kipkorir both scored 87 gross, but Nagda was declared the winner on countback. Yolanda Yu emerged third with 93 gross.

In the 11–12-year-old age group, Marya Nyambura emerged as the winner with 88 gross, followed by Sophia Nesbitt with 93 gross in second place and Jewel Kaisha with 94 gross in third place.

In the younger girls' categories who played 9 holes, Ashley Muyela emerged as the winner with 45 gross on countback in the 9–10-year-old age group, beating Aria Dodhia, and Chloe Chiuri finished third with 48 gross.

In the 8-year-olds and under age group, Aarna Mengi took first place with 39 gross, followed by Irene Asiyio with 43 gross in second place, and Leticia Mwangale with 46 gross in third place.

Speaking on the sidelines of the tournament, NCBA Thika Branch Manager Julius Kareithi said; "We are delighted to partner with U.S. Kids Golf and the Junior Golf Foundation to support the development of junior golf in the region. Our commitment to supporting this sport is anchored on the belief that it can create opportunities for young people to develop valuable life skills and achieve their full potential. We are proud to be part of this initiative, which provides a platform for young golfers to showcase their skills and compete against their peers in an age-appropriate competition. We look forward to continuing our support for the growth of junior golf in Kenya."

The event was an opportunity for junior golfers to qualify for U.S. Kids Golf international tournaments by earning points for Priority Status. The junior golfers will also be looking to qualify for events such as Regional Invitational and the U.S Kids Golf Regional Championship to be held later in the year.

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