Kenyan juniors on the international scene

2001 will be remembered as the year the Kenya team was placed second in the Africa qualifier; participated in the World Junior Team championships, Japan; was invited to the World Teens Golf, France and the Orange Bowl, Florida, USA in December.

Kenya hosted at Muthaiga Golf Club in April 2001, the Africa Qualifier to select the continent’s representative to the 10th World Junior Team championships. The victorious Kenya Team, who beat rivals Zimbabwe by two shots to book a place in Japan, from left Bhavnish Chandaria, Rizwan Charania, Rachit Patel and Lee Njoroge. Bhavnish also aced on the 13th hole in the third round.   Kenya’s first appearance at the 10th World Junior Team championships in Japan was an experience for the team. They are pictured at the Ashi Kokusai Mamamura Golf Club in Tottori-City, four hours from Osaka with team manager and JGF Trustee, Vishy Talwar and Trustees chairman, Eddie Njoroge (centre). Six continents were represented including Ireland and Scotland for Europe, Canada and Panama for North-Central America, Colombia and Chile for South America, New Zealand for Oceania, Thailand, Korea and Japan for Asia and Kenya for Africa. The top three teams from last year’s event had automatic entry including defending champions, USA, and runners-up, South Africa and third placed England.   South Africa, who participated in Nairobi in April, had already qualified for Japan by virtue of their runner-up position from last year’s event. However, their presence in Nairobi and their standard of play was a challenge to the other teams. Louis Oosthuizen (above), is the current World Junior champion. The South African team went on to Japan to win the event from New Zealand by one shot. In third place was USA. Fellow team members, Charl Schwartzel, Albert Kruger and Christian Ries are names to watch in the future.

An historic boys championship Naushad Merali EBS, has been appointed Patron of JGF. Kenyan juniors on the international scene.   Chairman's letter Richard turns Pro. 2001 Championship Pictorial.   Two divisions in Matchplay Championships.

For the first time, Kenya is invited to play in the Teen’s Golf Trophy in Biarritz, south of France in October. Bhavnish Chandaria and Rizwan Charania will represent the country in this 12th edition. In last year’s event 43 countries particiapted.