Indefatigable Shashwat wins Limuru Open

Limuru Junior Open 2024 overall boy winner, Harish Shashwat with his title at the Limuru Golf and Country Club, August 6, 2024. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Finally, the Limuru Junior Open concluded at the expansive Limuru Golf and Country Club over three grueling days.

The mental turmoil was palpable throughout the field of 90 young golfers who participated, 48 made it past the cutline.

As most of them could not control their mental state after executing the wrong shot decisions, a World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) sanctioned meet is open to self-caddying juniors with valid handicaps.

After all was said and done, Shashwat Harish proved his mettle and won the overall boy title shooting rounds of 9-over 74, 75, 76 (225).

Playing off a handicap of +1.5, Shaswat sustained his great form after a good showing last week during the Kabete Junior Challenge that he won.

Hoping intention is to focus on self-improvement rather than solely striving for victory in the future.

"I'm in good form at the moment, having won the Limuru Junior Open back-to-back after winning the Kabete Junior Open last week," Shashwat said. "It means a lot and shows that I'm in good form and sustain that winning form."

He observed that the course was in good condition and was playing tough. Beating it wasn't easy.

"I was a bit careless in between with some of my shots. Other than that, I managed to put my game together. My next goal is not to focus too much on trying to win but to better myself." added Shashwat.

The win earned him 291 points towards the Wagr ranking.

Limuru Junior Open 2024 overall girl winner, Kanana Muthomi with her title at the Limuru Golf and Country Club, August 6, 2024. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Kanana Muthomi, aged 12, secured the overall girl's title after returning 79, 77 and 82 (238).

"My strength was my tee shots as I hit the fairways and was often on the green on regulation. My weaknesses manifested in my putting and short game because I could not convert the birdie putts that I should have," Kanana said.

It was not an easy win for Shashwat due to the stiff competition from the promising field of upcoming junior golfers she was up against.

There was a great display of skill and tact in the competitive field of junior golfers where an attitude change in the mental aspect of the game is required.

Limuru Junior Open 2024 winners at the Limuru Golf and Country Club, August 6, 2024. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Long-hitting Ronan Patel was among the players to watch out for if his game was anything to go by as he holed out two spectacular eagles in his final round on the par-four ninth and par-five 18th holes to finish second, four strokes behind Shashwat.

Action now shifts to the Sigona Golf Club layout that will host the next event on the Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) calendar the Kenya Junior Matchplay Championship on August 12-15, where a field of 96 juniors will compete. [e-mail]

"My ultimate goal is not to win rather my focus is to get better at what I'm doing which is to improve my game," Shashwat

Here are the current World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) standings of the top ranked junior golfers in Kenya.

Boys

555 - Elvis Muigua - 530 Points
1438 - Krish Beiju - 433 Points
1882 - Mikael Kihara - 402 Points
2274 - Kevin Anyien - 378 Points
3464 - Shashwat Harish - 291 Points (India)

Girls

1220 - Chanelle Wangari - 473 Points
2428 - Bianca Ngecu - 324 Points
2902 - Kanana Muthomi - 230 points
3017 - Belinda Wanjiru - 113 Points