HISTORY OF AFRICA JUNIOR GOLF CHALLENGE

1992 saw the birth of the "World Junior Golf Team Championship" in Japan. Countries from all over the world were invited to participate and Zimbabwe was invited from Africa.

The reason for this was their strong tie with the "Junior Orange Bowl" in America. (A number of its committee members were also executive members of the World Junior Championships).

In 1995 South Africa was welcomed back into the international fold and was invited to play against Zimbabwe to decide who would participate in Japan. A team was sent to Harare to play the local Junior Tournaments and finally in the "Test". The South African boys took almost all of the honours in the competitions and looked set to "walk" the Test Match. They were in for a rude awakening, being 22 shots off the pace after the first day. Zimbabwe eventually won by 2 shots and thus went to Japan for the 4th year.

The following year Zimbabwe was invited to Humewood, Port Elizabeth, for a revenge match and was soundly beaten by 29 strokes. Being the fifth Anniversary of the "World Junior Championships" both teams were invited to participate. In 1997 it was decided to invite more African Teams to participate but sadly only Kenya and Zimbabwe accepted.

This was the beginning of the "Africa Junior Golf Challenge" (AJGC). The Tournament was held at George and once again South Africa came out on top. The following year Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe accepted invitations to Johannesburg. Against all odds Zimbabwe won by 2 strokes from SA to head off to Japan again. The 1999 Challenge was held at Elephant Hills in Zimbabwe and Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and SA participated. South Africa won the Tournament quite convincingly beating Zimbabwe by 25 strokes.

In 2000 the Challenge was held in Windhoek, Namibia and it was disappointing that Malawi, Namibia, Zimbabwe and SA were the only countries to participate. South Africa were once again winners and at the World Junior Golf Team Challenge in Japan finished 3rd overall to be exempt from qualifying in 2001.

In 2001, Kenya hosted the Africa Junior Golf Challenge at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi and South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia participated. South Africa who were exempt from qualifying still graciously traveled to Nairobi. This however gave an opportunity to another country to join the South African Team in Japan. Kenya edged out Zimbabwe on an exciting last day duel to take the second spot.

In 2002, Zambia were scheduled to host the AJGC but did not due to lack of sponsorship and Kenya agreed to host for the 2nd consecutive year. Apart from the hosts Kenya, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and for the first time, Egypt made up the participants. Zimbabwe won.

In 2003, Chingola, Zambia were hosts with other countries represented being Malawi, Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe. South Africa were winners again and with Kenya coming second.

The 2004 edition was played at Benoni Country Club, Johannesburg, South Africa and participants this year were hosts South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The World Junior Golf Team Challenge granted a concession and agreed for two qualifiers from Africa if a minimum of seven countries participated at Africa Junior Golf Challenge. Sadly, the event was one country short. The golf however was good and bad weather played a major role with the 4th round being abandoned. South Africa won with one of their players, Anton Haig, shooting a 64 in the 3rd round and setting a new amateur course record.

In 2005, Namibia played host to this event at the wonderful Windhoek Golf Club. Seven countries participated with South Africa winning, Zimbabwe coming second and Kenya third. The two top teams got to represent Africa in Japan at the world finals.

Malawi were fabulous hosts in 2006 at Lilongwe Golf Club. Again, seven countries entered and despite wet weather, the competition was keen and South Africa were unbeatable yet again, winning quite comfortably. Malawi were second with Kenya coming third.

The 2007 event was hosted by Zimbabwe at Elephant Hills Golf Club, Victoria Falls. This magnificent setting and impeccable hospitality in very trying economic conditions was a fantastic event. Nine countries including Ghana for the first time competed with South Africa continuing their dominance and winning. It was close this time round with Kenya chasing them all the way home to finish second. Hosts Zimbabwe were third.

Regrettably, the organizers of the WJGTC declined to give a second spot to Africa despite achieving the minimum seven countries and having a very good average gross score.

In 2008 the event was hosted by Swaziland. A total of 10 countries participated and South Africa maintained their trend and emerged the winners. Kenya was runner up and both countries represented Africa in WJGTC held in Nagoya Japan.

Last year, 14 countries battled it out with alongside hosts Kenya at Leisure Lodge Beach & Golf Resort, Mombasa. First timers in this championship were Cote D'ivoire who despite the stiff competition and the harsh hot weather finished 13th Overall. South Africa once again showed their prowess by winning the championships with Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2nd and 3rd place respectively. South Africa represented Africa at the World Junior Golf Team Championship.

This year, South Africa hosts the Championships as they celebrate 50th anniversary of South Africa Junior Golf. The tournament will be held at Glendower Golf Club, Johanesburg from 3rd April to 8th April 2010.

The above was compiled by Bill Smith, former President of the South African Golf Foundation and updated by Vishy Talwar, former Chairman Junior Golf Foundation, Kenya, and Janet Akinyi Ong'injo.