Over 150 junior golfers are expected to compete in the seventh leg of the NCBA U.S. Kids Golf Spring Tournament, set for Sunday at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club.
Jointly organized by U.S. Kids Golf and the Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) Kenya, the tournament offers young players aged between 5 and 18 a crucial platform to showcase their skills in age-appropriate categories.
Besides gaining local recognition, participants will earn Priority Status points, which are instrumental in qualifying for elite international events such as the U.S. Kids Golf Regional Invitational and Regional Championship tournaments held around the world.
The competition format is tailored to encourage skill development, sportsmanship, and a passion for the game among Kenya’s emerging golf talent.
The Royal Nairobi leg follows last weekend’s event at Thika Sports Club, where Peter Gathogo clinched victory in the Boys 13–14 category with a score of 77. Amar Shah finished second with 78, while Kagame Handa and Tsorav Soni tied for third at 83.
In the Girls 11–12 category, Aria Dodhia posted a level-par 72 to take top honors. Ashley Muyela followed closely with 73, and Chloe Chiuri came in third with 81.
Randy Turi claimed victory in the Girls 13–14 category with a score of 81.
JGF tournaments are now averaging 140 participants across the country, signaling a significant surge in interest and participation in junior golf.
Speaking after last weekend’s event, JGF President Vincent Mukiri said the Foundation has established a strong pipeline that maintains steady participation despite the national junior team being in camp year-round and occasionally missing tournaments.
“From 2025, our strategy is shifting. We’re focusing on building a wide base of players beyond the national team,” Mukiri noted. “We will introduce regional golf schools across the six JGF regions. Each school will train its top players to feed into the national team.”
He added, “In one or two years, we expect to see a national team comprised of talent drawn from across all regions—not just Nairobi.”
Mukiri emphasized that international interest in Kenyan juniors is growing, with players now getting opportunities to pursue collegiate golf abroad.
“We’re building a clear pathway for our players as they transition to 18 and 21 years—whether it’s college golf, turning professional, or pursuing careers related to golf. The goal is to ensure no junior golfer is lost in the system,” he said.
JGF is also strengthening grassroots training by involving coaches and teachers in all regions and introducing objective progress tracking.
“We now require coaches to submit detailed reports on their trainees, including skill levels and development insights,” Mukiri explained.
NCBA Bank’s sponsorship underscores its commitment to nurturing grassroots sports.
NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora said the bank is proud to support the growth of golf in Kenya and across the region.
“We believe in nurturing talent from a young age and creating opportunities that go beyond financial empowerment,” said Gachora. “These tournaments are about more than competition—they bring people together to celebrate the sport and help build the next generation of champions. We are proud to be at the heart of it all.”