Kihara shines as best junior golfer at Championship qualifier

 

Just one week after narrowly missing out on the Kenya junior Strokeplay title, Mikael Kihara displayed remarkable skill and finesse at Sigona Golf Club to claim the title of the top junior golfer in the 2023 Kenya Junior Match Play Championship Qualifier.

Kihara’s (pictured) performance was highlighted by two well-executed birdies on the par 5 15th hole and the par 4 17th hole. While his second nine saw a couple of bogeys, he managed to maintain a level score.

In the initial nine holes, Kihara faced a challenging start with consecutive bogeys, followed by three consecutive level pars.

However, his determination shone through as he rallied, concluding with a double bogey on the last hole, number 9.

Reflecting on his performance, Kihara commented, “The qualifier was a positive experience; it allowed me to familiarize myself with the course and its dynamics in preparation for the upcoming knockout rounds. The course was in great condition, contributing to an overall enjoyable game.

” Belinda Wanjiru, despite a tough start with a double bogey on the first hole, showcased resilience and composure as she managed to play level par on six holes and secure one birdie during the initial nine. While her second nine posed some challenges, including a double bogey, three bogeys, and a birdie, Wanjiru’s overall score of 79 placed her a mere two shots behind the victor, Kihara.

Meanwhile, Ligi Ndogo U15s showed their exceptional skills to emerge victorious against Michael Olunga Football Academy in the finals of the Ligi East Africa tournament.

The teams couldn’t break the tie in regular time, leading to a nail-biting penalty shootout where Ligi Ndogo emerged as the champs. This year’s tournament was a hit, with a record-breaking 231 teams competing.

Some notable ones included Teletubbies Kids League (TKL) from Uganda, who ruled the under 7s and under 11s categories, and Future Stars from Tanzania, fielding teams in three different age groups. The showdown was so intense, and the final couldn’t decide a winner in normal time, leading to penalties.

The penalty shootout was heart-stopping, but Ligi Ndogo’s nerve held, securing their victory and cementing their place as the champions.

Over 1000 young players from Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) participated, making the Ligi East Africa tournament a fantastic platform for nurturing young talent and promoting football development in the region.   BY PEOPLE'S DAILY