- Kibugu, 18, won the Amateur title at the Magical Kenya Open
- A team of six has been selected for the tournament
- The youngest golfer in the team is 12 years old
Teen golfer Njoroge Kibugu who caused a star at this month’s Magical Kenya Open will lead Kenya’s contingent that heads out to the All Africa Junior Golf Team Championship, (AAJGC) which will be held in Egypt Palm Hills Golf Course from from March 26-April 1.
Kibugu starred at the Open, making the Cut on the final two days, though he could not sustain the momentum on the final day, having come in placed sixth on the leaderboard.
He however went on to win the Amateur title on a course he has played in since he was six years old.
He now hopes to replicate the same form when he leads the Kenyan team to Egypt where he also has Andrew Ngacha Wahome from Nyali Golf and Country Club, 15-year old Krish Beiju Shah from Vet Lab Sports Club and Elvis Muigua Gatuhi from Kiambu Golf Club.
The girls’ team will be headlines by 17-year old Alyssa Jamal from the Nyali Golf Club and will also include 13 year old Bianca Wamaitha Ngecu from Muthaiga Golf Club and 12-year old Belinda Wanjiru from Vet Lab Sports Club.
Kibugu, who is now fondly referred to as the ‘Kenyan Tiger Woods’ says they are ready to represent the country well during the tournament.
Njoroge Kibugu receiving his kit from NOCK second vice president Waithaka Kioni
“We’re going to play the best we can and hopefully bring back the trophy. It’s a different course, I haven’t seen it before but we’re hopeful of a great performance. I’m encouraging the team to focus together as a team as we aim for excellent individual performance,” said Kibugu.
Meanwhile, Nyali Golf Club’s Alyssa says she was excited for the opportunity to represent the country in her first international tournament.
“This might just be the road towards my Olympic dream, I played in Vipingo and enjoyed myself so thinking that I can go to Paris 2024 or Los Angeles 2026 would be very exciting.”
As they prepared to depart for Egypt, the team received a massive boost with the National Olympic Committee of Kenya handing over kits and equipment to the team of six.
“Thank you for investing in the youth, this is a demonstration that you’re on the right track. This is the future of golf,” Waithaka Kioni, the NOCK second vice president said.
The team that will head out for the tournament in Egypt
The Golf Federation was represented by the Chairman Kenya Golf Federation Peter Kiguru.
“This the first international event we are heading out after Covid-19. We have trained at Windsor and at Muthaiga Club. The course was prepared because of the Magical Kenya Open and has been tough, so as I lead this delegate to Egypt, I know they have trained adequately,” Kiguru said.
The team will join 20 other participating Countries which include, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Benin, Nigeria, Mauritius, Uganda among others.
They will leave for Egypt on March 26.
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