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Unplayable dense fog threatened to throw the sixth edition of the Limuru Junior Open off the course forcing the tee off to be deferred by 40 to delay the start of the opening round testing the patience of the stacked international field of over 80 rising talent from Austria, Ethiopia, India, Rwanda, and a strong contingent of local stars.
The young golfers went all out in hunt for vital World Amateur Golf Ranking WAGR points in the self-caddying event pushing their mental game to the limit.
It was a struggle for most of the field as they navigated the course but once the mist lifted, it was 16-year-old Ewan Widor of San Roque Golf Club in Spain who chatted his path to victory after delivering a masterclass performance over the 54 holes to capture the overall boy and championship title.
Despite having challenges in his first and second rounds where he couldn't sink obvious puts neither chip close to his targets but found his groove in the final day to produce the enviable winning score of 6-under with a solid opening round 74, he went on to card a 2-under 70 in the second round before firing a blistering 6-under par 66 on the final day. For a 54-hole total of 6-under 210 which proved unbeatable, to set him apart from the chasing pack.
Widor who was last off in the featured group which included Aurush Vara of Sigona Golf Club and Kanana Muthomi of Windsor Golf and Country Club louded the competitive spirit in Kenya amateur events which has made him participate here, so often.
Speaking after receiving his trophy, Widor reflected on his time on the course competing against a diverse global and local contingent.
This follows a recent win at GJG Blue Carpet Junior Classic in Portugal in April in addition to several top-five finishes.
"It's been so much fun playing here in Kenya. The field is incredibly friendly, but at the same time, there's a strong competitive edge that brings out the best in everyone's game. Winning here means a lot to me."
After blowing hot and cold through the three rounds, 14-year-old Kanana, eventually claimed the overall girl championship trophy. She demonstrated remarkable consistency despite the early scheduling and disruptions, registering scores of 73, 71, and 73 to finish atop the girls' standings with 1-over par total of 217.
Behind the overall winners, age-group categories produced fiercely fought battles down the stretch. In the 19-21 years division, birthday girl Maryam Mwakitama aged 19 of Sigona Golf Club anchored the field to take the girl championship with a total score of 15-over par (231).
The 16-18 years boys division turned into an all-Sigona duel, with 17-year-old Hetansh Shah, the day one leader, bagged the top honors at 3-over par 219. He narrowly edged outclubmate Vara also 17, who finished a single stroke in second place at 4-over par 219. In the girl's division, Royal Nairobi Golf Club's Cherono Kipkorir, 16 powered through to win with a score of 24-over par 240, finishing ahead of runner-up Hazel Kuria of Muthaiga Golf Club at 30-over par 246.
Action in the 14-15 years boy's bracket featured one of the standout performances of the tournament from Mwathi Gicheru from Royal aged 15. After bouncing back from an opening round 79 to charge up the leaderboard with rounds of 72 and a final-round 3-under 69, for a final 4-over par 220 ahead of Vet Lab's Justin Ngeera 15, who placed second as 12-over 228. Muthaiga's Brianna Ngecu took the girls' title in the same age group with three-day tally of 30-over par 246.
In the youngest age bracket, the 13 years and under category, Windsor's Britney Nyanchera, 13, handled the challenging early conditions with poise, posting a total of 28-over par 244 to win the title ahead of Karen Country Club Muthoni Kioi 13, who finished second at 40-over par 256.
"I have seen some phenomenal scores over the last two days. It shows that your capabilities and your capacity to perform are getting better. Through the Junior Golf Foundation JGF, we shall help you as much as possible to give you the exposure needed to improve your performance." said James Ondigo, President - Junior Golf Foundation JGF.
