Steve Kibare | Budding Kenyan-American golfer targets big tours

By LARRY NGALA | Daily Nation

For many amateur golfers aspiring to join the professional ranks, competing in the biggest Tours and tournaments in the world is a long-held dream. American-born Kenyan Steve Kibare, who is due to join Dalton State University on a full golf scholarship this fall (this month), has what it takes to join the big tours in the world.

However, Kibare said that junior golf in the US is very competitive, he gave his best shot and managed to do well in some of the events.

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“Junior golf here in America is very competitive. Kids are super talented, and even though I played really well, it was still very difficult to finish in the top five of major junior tournaments as the stakes were high. I got to play in a few major tournaments like the US Kids Teen World and got a chance to meet at the time Kenya’s elite junior golfers Kellie Gachaga and Bradley Mogire from Dubai who were competing in their age groups. It was great to see Kenya represented well,” Kibare told Nation Sport.

Last year Kibare was invited to play at the IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships, which is the largest international tournament in the world and is unique for its international representation. The event was hosted at the renowned Torrey Pines golf course in San Diego California, which will also host the 2021 US Open.

“I had a great three rounds and shot 72, 77, and 68, finishing in the top 25 percentile from a field of 200. This tournament was important to me because I had been trying to qualify for it since I was 10- years-old. Playing in the tournament pushed my ranking to number two in the state of Georgia. I also got full sponsorship of golf accessories (balls, gloves, hats, shoes) and equipment from Titleist and Foot Joy,” he said.

Kibare also played in several junior tours like Southern Eastern Golf Tour, Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, Georgia Junior PGA Tour and American Junior Golf Tour. “My aim is to play in the big league and that means doubling my efforts,” he said.