Golf: Kenyan juniors come of age as they win overall Uganda Championships title

Junior Team Kenya Juniors displays the Country's overall winning trophy at the Serena golf Resort and Spa's Club house in Kampala, Uganda on Sunday,015th December, 2019 afternoon.[Maarufu Mohamed,Standad]

Kenya juniors under the Junior Golf Foundations (JGF) displayed top skills to bag the overall in the 2019 US Kids Junior Golf Championships at the par 72 Kibo’s Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa Course in Kampala, Uganda, on Sunday.

The three-day tournament, which was presented by Serena Hotels, featured 60 junior golfers from Uganda, Sweden, China, South Africa, Scotland and Kenya, which had 23 players including six from Mombasa’s Nyali Golf and Country Club.

Nyali’s Nathan Ng’weno set the pace as he led his colleagues in sweeping the top five slots in boys’ 13-years and above category.

He topped the lead by returning a round score of 148 gross after opening the first day on a level par 72gross, a two over par 74 gross in the second and final day to claim the title, two strokes ahead of second placed Wasin Ali.

Andrew Wahome had a total of 228 gross for third place.

Nyali’s Alyssa Jamal, who had a total 250 gross, won in girls’ category. 

Kenya also called the shots in boys’ 10-12 years category, as the players swept all the top seven spots.

Junaid Manji took the lead on 228 gross as Audrey Gachora with 302 gross, was triumphus in girls’ category.

Kenya only lost in boys 8-9 years category where Ugandan Banza Matsiko won on 119 gross, relegating Kenya’s Aidan Gachora to the second slot on 135 gross.

Kenyan Nkini Pasha on 148 gross, won in the girls’ corresponding category. Shaan Kitunzi on 145 gross gave Kenya victory in the seven-years category, while Malaika Kasio on 148 gross was also victorious in girls’ category.

Serena’s tournament director Emmanuel Kasio said the US Kids golf is aimed at providing juniors with the chance to enjoy the game.