South Africa retain trophy

By Maarufu Mohamed

South Africa retained the continental junior team golf championship on 877 total gross scores on the final day of the 11th edition at Leisure Lodge Beach and Golf Resort Course in South Coast, Mombasa.

South Africa braved the coastal heat to stay top since Thursday. J G Claassen, the tournament’s individual titleholder, retained the crown on a total of 289 gross score.

Claassen finished the final round on a gross score of one under par 71 after placing four birdies, two bogeys and three pars in the first nines and returned in the second nines parring seven holes and two bogeys to take up the lead.

They will represent the continent in the Toyota world junior golf event in Japan in June.

Kenya, who represented the continent after finishing runners-up at the qualification event in Swaziland last year, finished in fifth place on a total gross score of 942, tying with Malawi.

The homeboys started on position nine in the first rounds and had remained eighth placed in the second and third rounds.

Three of the Kenyan juniors, Shivam Shah, Abdelrehman Sihag and Sayyid Ahmed Tahir, closed the final rounds on a three over par 75 gross each.

Long hitting George Munyao who won the longest shot award, however finished on 11 over par 83.

Professional golfer Jimmy King’ori said: "It is an embarrassment to Kenya for such poor performance."

He said the search for next year’s junior national team should start now with home- based players and urged the Government to support the Junior Golf Foundation financially.

"The team had only a week’s coaching in Nairobi and were being supported by their parents. They have not even trained together as a team."

The team comprises Nyali-based Munyao, Shivam of Sigona, UK-based Tahir and US-based Sihag.