Youths dare dream as Nyanza's Junior Golf tourney highlights growth
Golf
By
Washington Onyango
| Apr 21, 2025
The 2025 Nyanza Junior Golf Tournament marked another step forward in grassroots golf development after more than 100 young golfers, from as young as eight to budding adults of 21, dominated the fairway at the Nyanza Golf Club in Kisumu over the weekend.
Attracting golfers from clubs across the vast Nyanza and Western corridor - from Kisii and Kericho to Kakamega and Nandi Bears- golf is fast finding its way into the football-dominated region.
In the 9-Hole category, Wayne Getanda emerged top after carding an impressive 51 gross to finish ahead of Gianna Oketch, who settled for runner-up with 52 gross.
Nyanza Golf Club's Faraja Mulunda took the under 8-10 years category after posting an impressive 97 gross to also top. Nate Nyachiro with 112 gross finished second.
In the under 11-12 years bracket, Neil Kabora with 93 gross was the champion, followed by Antony Cheruyoit with 103 gross.
In the 13-14 years contest, Ian Sang stamped his authority with 102 gross, followed by Cindy Hawi with 113.
John Mando, on the other hand, dominated the 15-18 years group after topping with 84 gross. Harriet Moraa wasn't far off, returning a competitive 122.
Wycliffe Otemba would be the best of the best after a stellar 78 gross in the 19-21 years category. Otemba beat Tonny Nyambogo, who posted 81 gross.
These results were promising and is why Nyanza Golf Club Junior Convener Lilian Kong'ani encouraged more youth to take up the sport.
"At Nyanza, we've taken it upon ourselves to make golf accessible and exciting for juniors because they are the bedrock of the sport's future," Kong'ani said.
"We have seen the difference structured training and exposure make in transforming interest into real skill, and our juniors today are evidence that the efforts are paying off."
Western Region Junior Convener Elizabeth Akinyi also highlighted the Kenya Golf Union's broader strategy in fostering the sport's growth.
"Our junior programs are designed to ensure that golf grows from the grassroots. We are partnering with schools and clubs to introduce the sport to young players early on, and we believe that by nurturing them now, Kenya will soon have world-class golfers competing internationally," Akinyi emphasized.