Kivi jets out for German Championship

Jeff Kivi emerges from a sand bunker during Limuru Junior Open, August 26, 2023. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Jeff Kivi is only 11 but jets out on Thursday for a once in a lifetime trip to where he is set to take part in a life changing tournament, German Championship 2023 which tees up October 2-3 at the 18-hole Mittelrheinischer Golf Club in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Kivi also a junior member of VetLab Sports Club, leaves the country on Thursday accompanied by his mother, Catherine Kivi earned the prestigious slot to participate in the inaugural German Championship and hopefully qualify for the

Even after falling short of the requisite points for the Big 5 South Africa Open after the U.S. Kids Golf leg at Muthaiga Golf Club in April where he finished fourth.

A grade six pupil at The Green Garden Schools, he has worked his way through the course ranks currently ranked second at 60 points behind his fellow club mate, Gitonga Gitobu who leads in the 11-years age group with 70 points in the Local Tour.

Accumulating much needed priority points to get a slot to take part in World Championships to be staged at Pinehurst in North, the home of U.S. Kids Golf in North Carolina and an equivalent of Augusta the venue for U. S. Open Championship.

With over 30 events spread across the world on the U.S. Kids Golf qualifier tournaments, Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) believes that this is the window that local golf much needs to grow.

“By partnering with U.S. Kids Golf, JGF has presented our juniors with a myriad of opportunities to participate in the tournaments’ spread across the world to choose from and that fit into their school program.” noted Regina Gachora, President JGF.

“I’m happy for Kivi who will be flying our flag at the German Championship, he will be up against some of the world’s best junior golfers but we pray that he gets the much needed exposure and definitely his perspective will change and in turn, upon return he can share his experience and hopefully inspire the rest of our juniors in raising our standards of play.” she added

Founded in 2002, U.S. Kids Golf has strived to set a standard that seeks to make golf a family experience; by having parents take part in the tournament as caddies for their children to better the parent-child bond.

So far, the Championship has hosted 2003 players from 50 countries from across the globe, billed as one of the two largest golf championships in the world.

Kivi, has been on fire with his solid iron play while enjoying long drives off the deck often driving the par-four 10th hole at Royal Nairobi Golf Club course and great short game still has a lot to do on his putting if he is to achieve a target of playing below 75 nett as he heads out to Germany.

“I’m upbeat about the upcoming championship and I believe my mental game is equally great and all set. How I wish there were more Kenyan juniors at the meet but I’ll give it my best shot.” Kivi said

Exuding confidence of a stellar performance as he seeks to amass more points to position himself a a vantage point and hopefully earn a slot in the Big 5 South Africa Open to be played in March 25-27, 2024 at the superb Magalies Park Country Club layout on the banks of Hartbeespoort Dam in North West, South Africa.

Hopefully, the local tour will be ready to host the U.S. Kids Golf tournaments, NCBA Kenya Invitational 2023 at Windsor Hotel Golf and Country Club 18-hole course slated for December 15-17, 2023.

The 3-day tournament for both boys and girls aged between 15-18 years is recognized by both Junior Golf Scoreboard and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).

A bigger field of juniors are expected to participate then as most schools will be on vacation.