Shashwat Harish of Muthaiga Golf Club and Belinda Wanjiru of Vet Lab Sports Club emerged as the winners of the second Kabete Junior Challenge Cup.
Fourteen-year-old Harish scored 3 over par in the final round, securing the overall boys’ title with a total score of 304 gross.
Wanjiru defended her title with a score of 319 gross, winning the overall girls’ category for the second consecutive year.
The four-day event took place at Vet Lab Sports Club.
In the 18 and under category, home player Krish Shah delivered the best round of the tournament with a 3 under par score in the final round, winning the boys’ title.
Antonia Mbuthia from Muthaiga Golf Club won the girls’ title.
Other winners included Nathan Mwangi from Karen Golf and Country Club in the boys’ 16 and under category, and Hazel Kuria from Muthaiga in the girls’ category.
Kayden Wissanji from Windsor won the boys’ 14 and under category, while Cherono Kipkorir from Royal took the girls’ title.
The 12 and under category was dominated by Windsor’s George Ikirima and Kanana Muthomi.
Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) President Regina Gachora congratulated the winners for their dedication.
“The scores are improving significantly. Well done, Shashwat and Belinda. The future looks bright,” she said.
Gachora also announced that Wanjiru has earned her World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), ranking her among the best globally.
“The goal of having 50 WAGR-ranked junior players in Kenya is becoming a reality,” she added.
JGF Vice-President Vincent Mukiri thanked Vet Lab Sports Club, parents, coaches, and juniors for a well-organized tournament.
“The juniors’ performance over the four rounds reflects the excellent work done by coaches in various clubs and the national elite training program,” he said.
He noted that four boys and three girls have gained entry to the World Amateur Golf Rankings through their participation in WAGR-ranked tournaments.
“These tournaments contribute to the WAGR, the JGF Order of Merit, and our quest for the 2028 Olympics,” Mukiri said.
The Kabete Junior Challenge Cup, first held in 2023, is open to juniors 18 years and under with a world handicap index of 24.0 for boys and 28.0 for girls.
Focus now shifts to the Limuru Junior Open, scheduled for August 4-6 at Limuru Country Club.