The crisp morning breeze sweeping across the scenic Nyanza Golf Club fairways told a tale of promise, as young, ambitious golfers took to the greens with precision and poise during the Nyanza Junior Golf Tournament this past weekend.
More than 100 junior golfers drawn from Nyanza Golf Club, Kisii Golf Club, Kericho Golf Club, Kakamega Golf Club, and Nandi Bears Golf Club battled it out in what turned out to be a thrilling showcase of budding talent and the region’s ever-growing appetite for the gentleman’s game.
In recent years, golf has quietly but steadily been etching its way into the hearts of families and schools across the vast Nyanza and Western belt.
Once perceived as a sport reserved for the elite, the narrative is fast changing thanks to local clubs investing in junior development programs, beginner clinics, and grassroots partnerships aimed at creating easy access for young players.
The tournament’s results painted a vibrant picture of emerging stars ready to take the national scene by storm.
Leading the pack in the 9-hole category was Wayne Getanda, whose impressive round of 51 gross secured him the top spot ahead of Gianna Oketch, who posted 52 to claim the runner-up position, just a stroke behind.
In the 8-10 years age group, Faraja Mulunda demonstrated remarkable consistency and composure to card 97, narrowly edging out Nate Nyachiro (112) for the crown.
The 11-12 years bracket saw Neil Kabora rule the roost with a score of 93, leaving Antony Cheruyoit (103) to settle for second place in what was a tightly contested age division.
Ian Sang was the standout performer in the 13-14 years category, returning an excellent score of 102, as Cindy Hawi (113) followed closely in the runner-up position.
Perhaps the most impressive round of the tournament came from the 15-18 years class, where John Mando showcased not only talent but maturity beyond his years, carding a clinical 84 to outshine Harriet Moraa (122).
Rounding off the list of winners was Wycliffe Otemba, who emerged victorious in the 19-21 years category with a fine score of 78, fending off Tonny Nyambogo, who came in at 81.
The rising level of competition and skill among juniors didn’t go unnoticed, especially for Nyanza Golf Club, which has committed to nurturing young talent through structured training sessions and junior-friendly tournaments.
“We’ve realized that the future of the game lies in the hands of these young stars. That’s why Nyanza Golf Club is investing more in junior clinics, hosting regular competitions, and creating a fun, supportive environment for young golfers to grow their game,” said Lilian Kong’ani, the Nyanza Golf Club Junior Convener.
“Our mission is to demystify golf and make it accessible, not just for children of club members but for all interested juniors across the region.”
Echoing her sentiments, Western Region Junior Convener Elizabeth Akinyi emphasized the Kenya Golf Union’s deliberate steps toward building a sustainable junior golf structure.
“Our juniors are not only the future of the sport, but also ambassadors of discipline, resilience, and sportsmanship. The Kenya Golf Union is keen on growing the game from the grassroots, ensuring more schools embrace golf, and creating a clear path from beginner to elite level,” she remarked.
With such promising talent emerging from tournaments like this, it’s clear the fairways of Nyanza and the wider Western region are nurturing Kenya’s next generation of golf stars.
