South Africa emerged victorious at the All Africa Junior Teams Championships, claiming both the boys’ and girls’ titles at the Windsor Golf and Country Club, a par-72 course.
The South African boys, featuring Andries Van Der Vyver, Cilliers Craig, Dewan De Bruin, and Roelof Craigled, maintained their lead throughout the tournament, achieving a combined score of 22 under. The girls’ team also performed impressively, finishing 14 under.
Kenya secured second place consistently throughout the competition, with the boys scoring +13 and the girls +5. These results grant South Africa and Kenya’s boys’ teams representation at the World Junior Championships in Japan this June, as the top two boys’ teams qualify. In the girls’ event, only South Africa earned a qualification spot.
Andries Van Der Vyver was the standout performer with a 15-under-par 201 total after a final-round 4-under 72. He gained three shots on the front nine, encountered a bogey on the par-four second hole, and overcame a double bogey on the par-four 11th with four birdies on the back nine.
Mwathi Gicheru from Royal Nairobi Golf Club recorded the best scores for Team Kenya’s boys with an overall one-over performance.
“The experience was positive. It wasn’t easy; it presented some challenges. The course length and fast greens made it difficult, but we performed well. Finishing second to South Africa demonstrates our strength and ability to compete with Africa’s best,” Gicheru stated.
“I’m thrilled. Representing my country at a world event is a dream come true. We will prepare diligently to perform well in Japan.”
In the girls’ division, South Africa’s team consisting of Lourenda Steyn, Phenyo Sebata, and Casey Twidale completed the tournament at 14 under. Lourenda Steyn emerged as the top performer with an 8-under score after three rounds. Phenyo Sebata, who had been dominant in the first two rounds, dropped six shots on the front nine and three on the back nine during the final round. Bianca Ngechu led the Kenyan girls with a five-over score.
Team Kenya manager Vincent Mukiri commended the squad’s preparation, highlighting that the team was selected from a nine-month camp which chose four boys and three girls from 20 Order of Merit players.
“The second-place finish is significant, especially on home soil. The boys have qualified for Tokyo, and while the girls haven’t, we are advocating with relevant authorities to create opportunities for them. Women’s golf is growing across Africa, and opportunities should expand alongside the boys’ programs,” Mukiri said.
Boys Final Leaderboard: 1. South Africa -22, 2. Kenya +13, 3. Morocco +18, 4. Uganda +25, 5. Zimbabwe +27, 6. Zambia +33, 7. Mauritius +49, 8. Namibia +52, 9. Botswana +55, 10. Ghana +76, 11. Egypt +86, 12. Tanzania +100, 13. Côte d’Ivoire +106, 14. Tunisia +130
Girls Final Leaderboard: 1. South Africa -14, 2. Kenya +5, 3. Morocco +29, 4. Zimbabwe +43, 5. Tunisia +45, 6. Uganda +61, 7. Botswana +87, 8. Ghana +104, 9. Mauritius +105, 10. Zambia +134, 11. Egypt +161,