Junior golfers delighted with improved competition at Kids Series

GOLF Junior golfers delighted with improved competition at Kids Series

Joel Omotto • 19:22 - 09.05.2023

The youngsters were impressed by their good results at the Limuru and Thika legs of the Junior Golf Foundation event.

Junior golfers have lauded the high level of competition witnessed at the Junior Golf Foundation US Golf Kids Series.

The latest leg was held in Limuru and Thika last weekend and witnessed four categories being decided via playoffs, an indication of the growth of the sport in the junior category.

Tight scores were witnessed in most of the age categories with new winners emerging. Junior golfer Simaloi Mbeya with a handicap 32 was one of the winners with a gross score of 72 points.

She won by one stroke ahead of the pair of junior golfers handicap 15 Cherono Kipkorir and handicap 21 Brianna Ngechu. Cherono also played in Thika and lost in the playoffs to Navya Nagda after they both scored 87 gross points in the girls 13-14 category.

“When I was told I’m going into a playoff, I was like scared because I have never had a playoff before. But I’m happy that I won, my first time winning a US Kids tournament,” said Nagda.

Another junior in Limuru handicap 9, Ngecu, was tied for fourth on 74 gross points. Two strokes behind her, handicap 15 junior golfer Cherise Wachira finished seventh with 76 gross points.

Cherise would play in Thika and lose to Antonia Mbuthia on playoffs after both tied on 93 gross points but she was delighted by the challenge.

“I was a bit worried going into the play-off because I know Cherise is a very good player. So, it was a mix of emotions. I feel like there are a few holes I could have played better by far but I’m still glad the playoff happened,” observed Mbuthia.

Handicap 23 junior Sarah Mkok was tied for eighth with her junior counterpart handicap 10 Muthomi Kanana with a gross score of 77 points.

Another junior golfer handicap 11 Maryam Mwakitawa was tied for 11th with 78 gross points. In total, seven of the top 10 in Limuru were junior golfers.

The Thika event witnessed four playoffs to determine the winners in the girls 15-18 category, girls 13-14 years category, the boys under s6 years category and the girls 9-10 years category.

Trevvy Mungai and James Tino were tied on 43 points in the boys under 6 with Mungai winning in the play off. Mohammed Mtsumi was not far off in third with 44 points, just one behind the leaders. Ashley Muyela and Aria Dodhia were tied on 45 in the girls 9-10 years category with Muyela winning in the play off.

The boys 15-18 years category was won by Ishan Simani on 88 points. He won by only one stroke ahead of Kushagra Sharmia on 89 points. Sharmia was also only one stroke ahead of Kiunjuri Mathu with 90 in a tight finish.

The event now moves to Nakuru for the Central Rift Junior Open this weekend before Muthaiga plays host on May 21.

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