-56 Juniors, 3 days, 2 champions, the Future of Kenyan Golf just announced itself and at just 15, Malesi is Kenya’s new golf sensation and Mwakitawa stole the show too to reigns supreme among girls.
-Nyeri Club Chairman Nyaga Nderitu was equally proud, welcoming the successful staging of the second edition and reaffirming the club’s commitment to nurturing the next generation.
-Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) Mt Kenya Regional Representative Baldev Singh praised the juniors and their parents for turning up in numbers and for believing in the journey.
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS.
The fairways of Nyeri Club turned into a theatre of dreams this weekend and when the final putt dropped on Sunday, two young stars stood tallest, bathed in golden sunlight and thunderous applause, Shawn Malesi and Maryam Mwakitawa are the new champions of Kenya.
In a championship bursting with talent, tension, drama and raw teenage brilliance, Malesi of Royal Nairobi Golf Club and Mwakitawa of Sigona Golf Club conquered the 2nd NCBA Mt Kenya Junior Open, closing three unforgettable days of junior golf in glorious style.
This was not just a tournament, it was a statement that Kenyan junior golf has arrived bold, fearless, and hungry for the world stage.
At only 15 years old, Shawn Malesi played like a man on a mission, cool, calm and deadly accurate when it mattered most, the youngster sensation carded a superb final-round 77 gross to finish on a three-round total of 219 gross, just 3-over-par and clinch the boys’ overall title.
This was more than a trophy, it was a ticket to the big league, where his victory earned him his first-ever World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) ranking, a golden milestone that places him firmly on the international radar and opens the door to bigger tournaments, bigger stages, and bigger dreams.
“I’m so excited to win this championship and get my first WAGR ranking. This motivates me to play more junior tournaments and keep developing my game, “a beaming Malesi said.
And if this is just the beginning, Kenyan golf fans should buckle up, the future is here, and his name is Shawn Malesi.
If Malesi was the king, then Maryam Mwakitawa was the undisputed queen of Nyeri, as the Sigona Golf Club star produced a fighting final-round 79 gross to close on a total of 241 gross and lift the girls’ overall title in front of a delighted crowd.
It was a victory built on heart, grit and pure determination, and pushed to the limit by her playing partners throughout the three days, Mwakitawa refused to blink and when the pressure was at its hottest, she delivered her coolest golf.
She was quick to share the glory, thanking her playing partners for pushing her to be better, and her parents for standing behind her every step of the way, through early mornings, long drives, endless practice sessions, and unwavering belief.
What made this year’s championship truly special was its depth, as this was not a two-star show, it was a full festival of rising talent from across the country.
In the boys’ 19-21 years’ category, Fanuel Yebeltal of Royal Nairobi Golf Club powered his way to victory with 244 gross, while Rohini Shah of Vet Lab Sports Club ruled the girls’ 16-21 years’ division o 246 gross with class and composure.
The excitement continued in the younger divisions, where the next generation announced itself loudly.
Yuvraj Singh Rajput of Sigona Golf Club carded 21 gross claimed the boys’ 16-18 years’ title, while Justin Ngeera of Vet Lab Sports Club with 28 gross won the boys’ 14–15 years’ category.
In the girls’ 15 years and under category, Britney Nyanchera of Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club’s 256 gross took top honors, while Ishaan Patel of Sigona Golf Club won the boys’ 13 years and under title with 250 gross, proof that the talent pipeline is flowing from the very bottom.
And the home crowd had its own moment to celebrate too. In the subsidiary competition, James Nderitu’s 144 nett and Grace Joy Gacheru’s 175 nett, both representing host club Nyeri Club, emerged as the boys’ and girls’ winners respectively, sending the local fans into wild celebration.
In total, 56 junior golfers teed it up in Nyeri, all chasing glory in what has become one of the most important stops on the Junior Golf Foundation’s November regional WAGR, ranked championship series.
The mission is clear and powerful, take competitive golf beyond the traditional centers, discover raw talent in every corner of Kenya, give young golfers a chance to earn world ranking points, and give them priceless tournament experience under real pressure and Nyeri delivered all of that and more.
Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) Mt Kenya Regional Representative Baldev Singh praised the juniors and their parents for turning up in numbers and for believing in the journey.
“I would like to thank all the junior golfers and parents who came out to support and participate in this championship. Your commitment and participation are important in growing junior golf in the region. I encourage all the players to keep competing, continue working on their games and take advantage of the opportunities available through the Junior Golf Foundation. We look forward to seeing many of you at the next tournament in Kitale for the NCBA North Rift Junior Open,” said Singh.
Nyeri Club Chairman Nyaga Nderitu was equally proud, welcoming the successful staging of the second edition and reaffirming the club’s commitment to nurturing the next generation.
“We are happy to host the second edition of the NCBA Mt. Kenya Junior Open. We hope that all juniors enjoyed the course. We will continue supporting junior programs and ensure that our juniors develop and compete actively in the series,” said Nderitu.
The golf caravan does not stop in Nyeri, far from it, this is just the beginning of a thrilling November and the regional series now heads to Kitale Club for the 3rd NCBA North Rift Junior Open scheduled for 13th–15th November 2026, before wrapping up the November calendar with the 3rd NCBA Central Rift Junior Open from 27th-29th November 2026.
So, if you thought Nyeri was dramatic, wait for Kitale, new stars will rise, new rivalries will be born, and the race for WAGR points will only get hotter.
Behind all the birdies, bogeys and trophies lies a bigger story, a story of opportunity, and with the steadfast support of NCBA Bank, the Junior Golf Foundation is decentralizing junior golf development, taking quality training, high-level competition and real pathways to progress to young golfers across the entire country.
From Nairobi to Nyeri, from Sigona to Windsor, from Vet Lab to Kitale, no child with talent should be left behind because of where they come from and on Sunday in Nyeri, that vision came alive.
Two champions were crowned, dozens of dreams were ignited, and Kenyan golf took another giant leap toward the world stage.
The message from Mt Kenya is loud and clear, ‘Watch this space, the next generation is not coming and it is already here.
ENDS.
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