The first edition of the Shujaa Memorial Parent and Child Golf Tournament took place at the Muthaiga Golf Club on Sunday, 20 October. The tournament that encourages parents to team up with their children for a round of golf received an impressive turnout after it was oversubscribed by more than 257 entries.
Muthaiga Golf Club’s Team Reel, consisting of Dr Bhupinder Reel and his son, 12-year-old Joven Reel, who plays in the US Kids Tour emerged the winners with 38 points, followed by the team of George Wainaina and Abby Wainaina with 35 points and Murimi Gatu and Robert Gatu, also with 35 points.
The Junior Girls winner with 42 points was Kanana Muthomi followed by Princess Thai Kavore with 37 points. Joven Reel won the Junior Boys category with 46 points.
The tournament was held in memory of Shujaa Kariuki Kavore, who holds the record for the youngest hole-in-one player at Muthaiga Golf Club. The competition is also used to raise awareness of chronic children’s diseases.
Brianna Ngechu, in the 12-13 years category, observed that “my experience was good even though I didn’t play that well; my dad and I pushed until the end, and we had fun together. I find playing with my dad fun; even though we argue on the course as players, we still always manage to have fun together.”
One of the parents, Simon Kago, said, “It was an amazing time playing with my daughter; it is so important to play with her to bond. I would rather spend an afternoon on the course with her to get to know each other more than we would going for a 30-minute lunch. The time spent playing golf is amazing. The juniors are amazing; we had a competition, my daughter Brianna against Simaloi Mbeya and her dad Peter Brooks. They actually beat us; the children’s skills are getting better, more honed and prepared to play tournaments, and tournaments like this are what make it special.”
Simaloi Mbeya, in the 13-14 years category, said, “When I’m playing with my dad, I feel like we are playing for the fun of it; we joke around and get to enjoy the game, and it is very nice to add to your relationship with your parent.”
“When Shujaa did a hole-in-one, it encouraged more golfers to achieve more things in golf to get ahead.”
“I have played with Shujaa a few times, and when he got a hole-in-one on hole five, which is a tricky hole, it inspires me to get better. He got a hole-in-one on hole five, which is a tricky hole that I hope to achieve one day,” added 13-year-old Justin Ngeera.
Shujaa’s father, Kavore Kariuki, played alongside his daughter, Princess Kavore, who finished second behind Kanana Muthomi in the Junior Girls category.
Princess Thai Kavore, 11 years old, said, “Shujaa inspired me to play golf by helping me go to the range and helping me improve my swing so that I can be a good golfer.”
