Jelani Kihanya Wins NCBA Coast Open Golf Title at Nyali

Jelani Kihanya from Limuru Golf Club emerged victorious at the second NCBA Coast Junior Open championship held at the Nyali Golf and Country Club in Mombasa County. Despite a challenging start with an 84 gross in the opening round, Kihanya bounced back with consecutive rounds of 78 to clinch the title with a total score of 240.

In the girls' category, Antonia Mbuthia from Muthaiga Golf Club secured the win with a total score of 257 gross, finishing second overall in the championship.

Other notable winners included Ekron Odhiambo from the coast region who won the Boys 19 to 21 Years category, Rasmeet Kaur from Nyali who was the best girl, and Fidel Wasike from Kericho who topped the 16 to 18 Boys category.

The tournament saw an improved turnout compared to the previous year, with 40 golfers participating, mostly hailing from the coast region. Hazel Kuria from Muthaiga Golf Club claimed the title of best girl in the 16-18 year-olds category.

Why this matters: The NCBA Coast Junior Open serves as a platform to nurture and showcase young golfing talent in Kenya. The success of junior golfers like Jelani Kihanya and Antonia Mbuthia highlights the potential for the sport's growth and development in the country.

Looking ahead, the Coast region is set to host six Junior Golf Foundation events as part of the US Kids Local Tour starting in August. Two events each will be held in Nyali, Vipingo, and Leisure Diamond, providing opportunities for local juniors to participate and interact with their peers from different regions. These tournaments aim to encourage local sports tourism and foster the growth of junior golf in the coastal area.

Commenting on the championship, Jelani Kihanya expressed his delight, stating, "I am thrilled to have won the second NCBA Coast Junior Open. It was a challenging course, but I managed to stay focused and play my best game. I look forward to participating in more tournaments and improving my skills." The young golfer's victory serves as a testament to his dedication and talent, setting the stage for a promising future in the sport.

Key Takeaways

• Jelani Kihanya won the 2nd NCBA Coast Junior Open golf championship in Mombasa.
• Antonia Mbuthia from Muthaiga GC won the girls' category and finished 2nd overall.
• The tournament saw an improved turnout with 40 golfers, mostly from the coastal region.
• The Coast region will host 6 Junior Golf Foundation events as part of the US Kids Local Tour.
• Kihanya expressed delight at his win, looking forward to more tournaments to improve his skills.