Shashwat Harish Shines As Best Performer At NCBA Kenya Invitational Tournament
Shashwat Harish, winner of the 13–14-year-olds boys’ category, and Tsevi Soni, winner of the 15–18-year-olds boys category pose for a photo with their trophies at Windsor Golf Club. PHOTO/ NCBA
NAIROBI, Kenya- Shashwat Harish delivered a masterclass in junior golf at the NCBA Kenya Invitational Tournament, emerging as the tournament’s best performer with a phenomenal score of 10-under par 206 in the Boys’ 13-14 category.
Shashwat’s dominance over the three-day event at the Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club was unmatched, as he posted rounds of 70, 70, and an exceptional 66 on the final day, finishing with a remarkable 23 strokes ahead of his nearest competitor Aidan Gachora, who finished second with 13-over par 229. Tied for third place were Shashank Gadre from Uganda and Kenya’s Mwathi Gicheru, both scoring 14-over par 230.
“The course was in pristine condition, which made it easier for me and the other golfers. This tournament is the best score I have finished with; the other best score I did was a par, so I am very happy to achieve such results. It was not easy physically, but I made sure to be ready mentally for this tournament. I look forward to more such opportunities to better my game,” said Shashwat.
In the highly competitive Girls’ 15-18 years old category, Kenya’s Audrey Gachora emerged as the star, displaying consistent brilliance across three rounds. Audrey finished with a total fifteen-over-par 231, overcoming fierce competition from fellow Kenyan golfers Maryam Mwakitawa, who came in second with a score of 18-over par 234, and Bianca Ngecu, who secured third place with score of 22-over par 238.
Girls 15-18 years old category winner of the NCBA Kenya Invitational tournament Audrey Gachora receives her award from NCBA Group Head of Communication Francis Kavevi. PHOTO/ NCBA
“The competition was very tough this year, but I really enjoyed playing and posting very good results. I am delighted to have emerged top in my category, and also earning World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points. My goal is to continue improving my game this year and beyond with the hope of lowering my handicap and hopefully turning professional later,” said Audrey Gachora.
In the Boys’ 15-18 years old category, Kenya’s Tsevi Soni clinched victory with a total score of 8-over par 224. Tsevi’s consistency across three rounds (73, 78, 73) helped him edge out Uganda’s Anthony Otokei, who finished just one stroke behind at 225 (+9) after an impressive second-round 71. Kenya’s Nathan Mwangi and Dhruv Sanjay Patadia from Tanzania tied for third place with identical scores of 17-over par 233.
The tournament also celebrated outstanding performances across other age categories. In the Girls’ 13-14 division, Brianna Ngecu from Kenya claimed the top spot with 239 strokes (+23), followed by Yolanda Yu (+27) and Uganda’s Harsshitha Loganathan (+35).
Meanwhile, in the Girls’ 11-12 category, Siqian Yu showcased her skill and determination to secure first place with a total of 245 strokes (+29), narrowly edging out Chloe Chiuri and Aria Dodhia, who tied for second at 246 strokes (+30).
The Boys’ 11-year-old category saw Adam Nesbitt deliver an impressive display of talent, finishing first with a score of 228 strokes (+12). He outperformed South Africa’s Jordan Van Rooyen, who took second place with 250 strokes (+34), and Kenya’s Armaan Chavda, who finished third with 284 strokes (+68).
In the 8-year olds’ boys category, James Macakiage playing 9 holes, finished her round with a total of 5-under par 103, ahead of Ugandan Dante Kawalya who finished on 3-over par 111.
In the Boys’ 7-year-old category, also playing 9 holes, Surya Bongu was in a class of his own, finishing with a remarkable score of 4-under par 104, a testament to his future potential.
The tournament, which attracted 116 junior golfers from ten countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe, served as a critical platform for young golfers to showcase their talent. It is a key event in the Kenyan Junior Golf Foundation calendar, offering participants the chance to earn Order of Merit points, World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, and US Kids Golf Priority Status. These opportunities provide a gateway to prestigious Major Championships, Regional and International tournaments, and the renowned World Teen Championships.
Girls 15-18 years old category winner of the NCBA Kenya Invitational tournament Audrey Gachora in action. PHOTO/ NCBA
Speaking at the prize-giving ceremony Kenya Golf Union Chairman David Ndungu said, “We thank all partners who have come together to give our junior golfers a platform to compete and showcase their talents. This is a sign of the great progress we are seeing with junior golf in Kenya. Our goal is to see some of our junior golfers participating in the Magical Kenya Open, and from the scores we have seen in this tournament, we are confident of that happening sooner.”
Junior Golf Foundation Kenya President Regina Gachora underscored the significance of the Tournament in advancing the sport of golf in the country. “The competition has been really good over the three days, and we have seen an improvement in the scores that have been posted across the various categories,” she remarked. “It’s important for these young golfers to continue having these opportunities to better their skills and eventually play a role in raising the standards of golf in the country. We are delighted for the support we received for this year’s tournament from NCBA and all the other partners.”