Fourteen-year-old junior golfer, Calvin Juma, produced a stellar performance yesterday to win the NCBA Golf series title at the Karen Country Club.
With a round of 44 points, Calvin ended his day three points better than the closest challenger, Eunice Koome, who took the runner-up spot in the category with 41 points.
Calvin’s performance ensured a 100% winning streak for junior golfers at the Karen legs of the NCBA Golf Series, with last year’s event at the Club having been won by twelve-year-old junior golfer, Nathan Mwangi. Nathan also emerged victorious at Karen during the two-day Junior Golf Tournament held in August last year when he took the winner’s spot in the 12-year-olds category.
Calvin now becomes the Series’ fourth junior player to take top honours at a Seniors event at the NCBA Golf Series since its inception last year. Others to have made this mark include Cherono Kipkorir, who emerged overall winner at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club leg of the 2021 NCBA Golf Series; and eleven-year-old, Mumbi Gatu, who was crowned overall winner at the Limuru Country Club leg of last year’s Series.
Speaking after the tournament, NCBA Group Managing Director, John Gachora, said:
“We are elated to have a junior, once again, claim top honours at a seniors’ event. It confirms everything we have said about the future of golf in our country: that it lies in the hands of juniors. That is why we have made a deliberate effort to invest in the growth and development of junior golf in the country with the view of shaping talent at an early age with the intention of having these youngsters representing Kenya at top global golf events soon.”
In the second division, Karen’s Anne Mahinda carded a round of 41 points, two better than clubmate Mutheu Nguze, to claim the win in the category; while Rhoda Mwebesa was crowned the lady winner – after countback – having carded a round of 37 points.
In the juniors category, Sheha Omanga carded a round of 32 points to emerge the winner. Karen Country Club will be represented by Calvin, Anne and Rhoda – who all won in their respective categories at the Karen event.
Among the staff, Rita Waruinge carded a round of 38 points to emerge the winner. In the nines, Koki Muia won the first nine – after countback – with 22 points while Samuel Maugo claimed the 2nd nine win with a similar points haul. In the longest drive contest, Ken Ombati claimed the honours among the men, while Grace Mayiani claimed the win among the ladies. Meanwhile, Douglas Duncanson was the winner in the nearest-to-the-pin contest.
The Series continues next week when Karen Country Club hosts a two-day junior golf tournament from the 11th to the 12th of July.