By OUR CORRESPONDENT
Kenya once again demonstrated its growing stature as a hub for golf development following the successful conclusion of the All-Africa Junior Team Championship yesterday at the Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club.
The three-day championship brought together the continent’s top junior golfers, delivering high-quality competition, strong team performances, and a clear indication of the rising standards of the game across Africa.
The event also highlighted the importance of sustained partnerships in growing the game, with NCBA continuing to play a key role in supporting junior golf development through its partnership with the Junior Golf Foundation.
Speaking at the close of the tournament, Chris Kinuthia, Chairman of the Kenya Golf Union, praised both the organisation and the broader impact of hosting the event:
“It’s been a very wonderful experience. We have hosted the whole of Africa here in Kenya, and this being the biggest junior golf event on the continent, it means the world is watching. The feedback from participating countries has been very positive, and that reflects well on us as a nation. This tournament shows that Kenya is not only a golfing powerhouse, but a sports powerhouse.”
He also recognised the role of partners in supporting the growth of the sport and the performance of junior golfers:
“When you have the attention of the world here, there are many benefits that come with it. Our partners have played a big role, and especially NCBA, who have walked this journey with the juniors from the beginning. When you look at the level of performance in a tournament like this, it reflects that kind of support. We appreciate how they are supporting golf, not just at the junior level, but across the game.”
The event further underscored the steady rise of junior golf in Kenya, driven by structured programmes and increased access to competition.
According to Vincent Mukiri, the championship marked a major milestone for the sport:
“The tournament has been electric, very exciting for us as administrators, for the juniors, and even for the parents. This is one of the top junior events we have hosted in the country, and it opens up many opportunities for us, both in junior and even senior golf. There are so many learnings, so many connections that have been made, and these will go a long way in extending the reach of junior golf in Kenya.”
He added that Kenya’s strong showing, including a podium finish, reflected both preparation and the growing strength of the development structures:
“When we came into this tournament, we had both individual and team goals. We were aiming for gold, but we are very happy with the number two finish. As we continue building junior golf, we rely heavily on partnerships. Sponsors and collaborators allow us to go to places we would not reach and engage more young players.”
Mukiri further highlighted the impact of long-term support in expanding the game:
“Our top sponsor is NCBA, and they have supported us for several years. Through that support, we are able to run between 40 to 50 tournaments annually and carry out grassroots training programmes. When we started, we had about 3,000 juniors and now we are at around 5,000 to 6,000. That growth is a direct result of consistent support, which allows us to operate at a much bigger level than we would on our own.”
For the players, the championship provided both exposure and a platform to test themselves against the best on the continent. Kenya’s Mwathi Gicheru, one of the top local performers, emphasised the importance of such opportunities:
“It’s a great privilege to compete at this level. I’m really happy with how we performed as a team; that was the most important thing for us. Tournaments like this, and the support we get, especially with NCBA sponsoring many of our junior events, really help our growth. The more experience we get, the better we become.”
South Africa’s Andries Van Der Vyver, who emerged among the standout performers, reflected on his victory and the level of competition:
“It was a great day for me. I didn’t start that well, but I managed to finish strong. To play against some of the best players in Africa is a big privilege, and to come out as champion is an honour. This is part of the journey for me, and I hope to keep improving and achieving bigger goals in the game.”
The successful hosting of the championship not only reinforced Kenya’s capability to stage world-class junior tournaments, but also highlighted the strength of its development ecosystem where consistent investment, structured competition, and strong partnerships continue to shape the future of the sport.
