-This is not just about winning a medal, the U.S. Kids Golf Local Tour organized by the Junior Golf Foundation (JGF), is part of a global pathway, a system that gives young golfers in Kenya the same structure, ranking, and exposure as juniors in the USA, Europe and South Africa.
-Coast Junior Coach Mary Kandu says this is the most competitive group of juniors she has ever coached on the Coast and Diani will be war, and also praised parents for their sacrifice, driving kids to training, paying for equipment, and believing in a sport that many still think is only for adults.
-Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) Coast Representative Mary Mariga says the Diani leg is proof that junior golf on the Coast is growing faster than ever, praised NCBA for their support and added that JGF is focused on taking golf to more schools, more communities, and support more children who have never held a golf club before.
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS.
Forget the seniors, forget the Zaituni Queens vs Men war, this Sunday, golf belongs to the kids as Coast’s junior golfers takes their fierce rivalry to Diani in South Coast of Mombasa.
This will be in the 5th leg of the ongoing U.S. Kids Golf Local Tour, NCBA Mombasa Local Tour that tees off at the beautiful par 72 Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort course, Diani, Kenya in Kwale County t on Sunday, 15th November 2026.
It is the battle everyone has been waiting for, Mombasa vs Diani, Nyali vs Leisure, Friends vs friends, Brothers vs sisters, all for one thing, bragging rights as the best junior golfer on the Coast.
After weeks of training, weekend clinics, and heated playground arguments about who is the best, the juniors will finally settle it on the course, where it matters most, and this time, the stage is bigger, the course is tougher, and the stakes are higher.
Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort is not an easy course, it is long, it is windy, it is full of tricky greens, water, and palm trees that punish a bad shot.
This is not just about winning a medal, the U.S. Kids Golf Local Tour organized by the Junior Golf Foundation (JGF), is part of a global pathway, a system that gives young golfers in Kenya the same structure, ranking, and exposure as juniors in the USA, Europe and South Africa.
Points earned in Diani count, performances are tracked, and for the best, doors open to regional and international junior events.
Registration closed on 10th November 2026, with late registration running from 11th-12th November, now the field is set, the tee times are out, and the juniors are ready.
Coast Junior Coach Mary Kandu says this is the most competitive group of juniors she has ever coached on the Coast and Diani will be war.
“People think junior golf is just fun and games, No, these kids are serious. They train like professionals. They wake up early, they practice putting, chipping, they watch videos, they compete with each other every single day. The rivalry between them is real. In Mombasa, we have kids who don’t want to lose to each other. One wins on Saturday, the other wants revenge on Sunday. Now we are taking that rivalry to Diani. The course will test their character, their patience, and their discipline. I have told them, don’t play to beat your friend, play to beat the course. If you beat the course, you will beat everyone,” said Kandu.
Coach Kandu also praised parents for their sacrifice, driving kids to training, paying for equipment, and believing in a sport that many still think is only for adults.
“Behind every junior golfer, there is a parent who has sacrificed a lot. I want to thank all the parents. Your children are learning more than golf. They are learning discipline, honesty, respect, and how to handle pressure. Those are life lessons,” she said.
Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) Coast Representative Mary Mariga says the Diani leg is proof that junior golf on the Coast is growing faster than ever.
“A few years ago, we had a handful of juniors in Mombasa. Today, we have tens of juniors competing in every Local Tour event, from the very young 6-year-olds to the teenagers who are now playing like adults. That is growth. That is progress. The partnership with NCBA and U.S. Kids Golf has changed everything. It has given our children structure, proper tournaments, and a clear pathway. The kids are no longer just playing for fun on weekends. They are building a golf career. Diani is another step in that journey,” Said Mariga.
Mariga said the JGF is focused on taking golf to more schools, more communities, and support more children who have never held a golf club before.
“Golf should not be for a few. It should be for all children. We want a child from Likoni, from Changamwe, from Diani, from Malindi, from Kilifi, every child to have a chance to play. That is why these Local Tours are so important. They are not just tournaments. They are talent identification. The next Kenyan star who will play in the Magical Kenya Open, who will represent Kenya in Africa, who will go to America on a scholarship, that star is playing in Diani this Sunday,” said Mariga.
Expect the 7-year-old who putts like a pro, expect the 10-year-old who drives further than some adults, expect the teenager who is already dreaming of becoming Kenya’s next professional, expect parents shouting, “Good shot!” from the sidelines, expect caddies, coaches, and officials guiding the young stars, and nd expect a rivalry that will continue long after the final putt drops in Diani.
Because for these juniors, Diani is not the end, it is just another battle in a long war to be the best.
Will the Mombasa juniors defend their home turf, even away from home, or will the Diani juniors use home advantage to shock everyone, will the usual champions hold their nerve, or will a new unknown star announce herself on Sunday?
One thing is certain, on Sunday, 15th November 2026, all eyes will be on Diamonds Leisure, Diani, the juniors are coming, and they are bringing their rivalry with them.
The 2026 Mombasa local tour is a six leg tournament that started at Vipingo Baobab Ridge (Kilifi County) on 27th September, then Nyali on 4th October before Diamond Leisure (Kwale County) on 18th October.
It returned to Nyali (Mombasa County) on 1st November, now back to Diamond (Kwale County) 15th, November and will culminate at Vipingo Baobab Ridge (Kilifi County) on 22nd November.
ENDS.
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