Organisers: "Tight competition in junior golf an indication of growth in the sport"

Junior Golf Foundation US Golf Kids series Thika leg witnessed four categories being decided via play offs, an indication of the growth of sport in the junior category according to organisers.

The tight scores in a majority of the age categories point to just how intense the competition has been with new winners emerging and some of the juniors now playing in the senior competitions.

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

A day before the Thika leg of the US Kids Golf on Sunday 7 May, the Limuru Ladies Open was held on Saturday 6 May 2023. Junior golfer Simaloi Mbeya with a handicap 32 won the event with a gross score of 72 points.

She won by one stroke ahead of the pair of junior golfers, handicap 15 Cherono.

Kipkorir and handicap 21 Brianna Ngechu. Cherono also played in Thika and lost in the play offs to Navya Nagda after they both scored 87 gross points in the girls 13-14 category.

“When I was told I am going into a playoff I was like scared because I have never had a playoff before. But, I am happy that I won. This is my first time winning a US Kids tournament,” said Nagda.

Another junior in Limuru handicap 9 Bianca Ngecu was tied for fourth on 74 gross points. Two strokes behind her, handicap 15 junior golfer Cherise Wachira finished 7th with 76 gross points.

Cherise played in Thika the next day and lost to Antonia Mbuthia on playoffs after both tied on 93 gross points.

“I was a bit worried going into the play off because I know Cherise is a very good player. So, it was you know, a mix of emotions. I feel like there are a few holes I could have played better by far but I’m still glad the play off happened,” Mbuthia offered.

In total, seven of the top 10 in Limuru were junior golfers. The Thika event witnessed four play offs to determine the winners in the girls 15-18 category, girls 13-14 years category, the boys under 6 years category and the girls 9-10 years category.

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