Eighty-six juniors aged between six and eighteen turned Ruiru Sports Club into a hive of golfing excitement as the club hosted the U.S. Kids Golf Local Tour for the first time, a milestone that placed the venue firmly on Kenya’s junior golf map.

The young players battled across multiple categories, producing moments of drama and joy.

Playoffs decided the Boys 10 and Boys 11 contests, with Keith Masika edging Paren Reel, and Nawenbo Li prevailing over Jamin Rono.

Other age brackets delivered equally gripping finishes, with scores ranging from under par brilliance to hard-fought victories.

Among the standout performances was nine-year-old Hakeem Mutungi, who tore through the fairways with a score of 34, finishing two under par.

Read More

  1. NCBA’s customer engagement series delivers Sh156 million in business leads
  2. Tsevi Soni retains NCBA Kenya Junior Matchplay crown with 4&2 win at Sigona
  3. NCBA Bank challenges private schools to lead sustainability and innovation push

His display became one of the defining highlights of the day.

The full list of winners included:

• Boys 6: Bernard Maina 44, (+8)

• Boys 7: Giovanni Jayson Kamau 55, (+19)

• Boys 8: Surya Bonghu 39, (+3)

• Boys 9: Hakeem Mutungi 34, (–2)

• Boys 10: Keith Masika (won after a playoff with Paren Reel)

• Boys 11: Nawenbo Li (won after a playoff with Jamin Rono)

• Boys 12: Adam Nesbitt 75, (+3)

• Boys 13–14: Nawenxuan Li 80, (+8)

• Boys 15–18: Aiden Muturi 99, (+27)

• Girls 8 & Under: Zara Mutungi 40, (+4)

• Girls 9–10: Avanti Bonghu 40, (+4)

• Girls 11–12: Ashley Gachora 72, (par)

• Girls 13–14: Sophia Nesbitt 78, (+6)

• Girls 15–18: Imani Wilson Mwangi 118, (+46)

The competition did more than crown winners.

Twelve participants from the Limuru Children’s Centre joined the field, highlighting how the event created space for juniors from diverse backgrounds to showcase their abilities.

NCBA Group Managing Director, John Gachora, who graced the tournament, praised the determination of the juniors.

He remarked, “I am proud of these young golfers for giving their all on the course. Their commitment and passion for the game are a sign of a very bright future for golf in Kenya.”

Junior Golf Foundation Vice President, James Ondigo, also addressed the gathering, underlining the importance of such platforms in shaping tomorrow’s players.

He said the Local Tour offered young golfers a chance to compete, learn, and grow, while also signalling the return of the NCBA U.S. Kids Golf season in Kenya.

With Ruiru Sports Club now firmly on the calendar, attention shifts to the next stop of the NCBA U.S. Kids Nairobi Local Tour, set for Vetlab Sports Club on August 24, 2025.

The successful debut has left little doubt that Kenya’s junior golf scene is entering a new chapter.