Hillcrest International Shine In Schools Championship
Hillcrest team receiving their winners trophy during the NCBA first Inter-schools golf tournament at the Windsor Golf Club (left) Malkia Kasio, Aron Varuna and Shesha Makori . PHOTO/COURTESY
By Christine Ojung’a
NAIROBI, Kenya-Hillcrest International School were the surprise winners of the first NCBA inter-schools golf tournament that attracted 21 schools at the Windsor Golf Club in Nairobi.
The team of Jaban Kinyua, Sheha Makori, Aron Varuna and Malaika Kasio posted 254 gross points, one better than favorites Rosslyn academy and Peponi school who tied for second in the boys and girls 11-14 years category.
Sheha Makori was the star player with an impressive 78, with Malaika posting 84, Varuna 92 and Kinyua 122.
“I played 78 gross, one of my best, and I’m really happy. The last time we played we didn’t manage to win but this time we all put in our effort. One of us couldn’t be here today but we are happy,” said Makori.
Aron who posted 92 gross points said “Today I played one of my best rounds of golf. I started off a bit rocky but as I continued going things got way better and finally, we won. I played below 50 on both sides which surprised me and also gave me hope to do better in the next round.”
The team is coached by well-known hockey coach Jackline Mwangi who guided them to their first win ever in the inter-schools championship.
“I’m not so surprised; we talked about it in the morning and said we are going to do our best and the guys did it. Part of our plan is a long-term development plan, which is exposing our children to the world. For golf, exposing them to as many tournaments as we can, and today we did it. It has been a long time coming and we are so excited,” elaborated the coach.
Rosslyn had three players on the course, Shuhan Peng with 88, Aidan Gachora with 85, Nawenxuan Li with 82 while the fourth player, Benny Dikins did not start.
Peponi school with their trophy during the Inter-schools golf tournament at the Windsor Golf Club . PHOTO/COURTESY
For Peponi school, red hot Shashwat Harish posted 73 points, the best score of the day while Rohini Shah had a score of 88 and Shayan Savani posted 94.
Kenton College, led by Sophia Nesbit finished fourth with 259 points while Braeside Lavington led by Simaloi Mbeya finished fifth with 275 points in the competitive category.
In the boys and girls 15-18 years category, Kenya team player Krish Shah teamed up with Navya Nagda and Simo Dubajic for Braeburn Garden Estate School to win the category with 237 points. Shah posted 75 points with Navya one stroke back with 76 and Dubajic posting 86 points. Premier Academy led by the Soni brothers, Tsorav and Tsevi finished second with 240 points. Tsorav and Yuvraj Rajput posted 79 points each, while Tsevi scored 82 points and Nihir Shah 104 points. Makini School finished third with 293 points.
In the boys and girls 10 years and below category, Kenton College emerged the winners with 117 points. Aria Dodhia scored 37, Ashley Gachora 39, Niam Shah 41 and Mikhail Ladak 47. Montesorri Lavington Centre finished second with 128 points while Braeside Lavington finished third with149 points.
Schools like Lenana and Alliance high school participated in the first tournament of the year with the Limuru Children’s centre also entering a team in two categories.
