KCB KAREN MASTERS SIGNS PARTNERSHIP WITH SUNSHINE TOUR
By AMANDA DAMARIS
The 2018 KCB Karen Masters will be a fully sanctioned Sunshine Tour event. This announcement was made by Sunshine Tour Tournament Director Garry Todd.
The event is scheduled to take place next year from 19th -22nd July 2018. The four day event will have 156 playing slots for pros with a two day pro-am competition.
KCB Group Marketing and Communications Director Angela Mwirigi said the partnership with Sunshine tour makes the tournament more prestigious and attractive to professional golfers.
“KCB Karen Masters tournament remains our most visible vehicle to share the greatness of the sport. The tournament in on course to becoming the pre-eminent pro competition in East Africa. We expect another thrilling competition, and hopefully will provide the excitement our fans have come to expect.” said Angela.
Garry Todd says the two year partnership with KCB Karen Masters will through affiliate sports see 5 local pros to participate in Sunshine Tour events from next year.
“It’s a dream come true for Sunshine Tour, we are delighted to come to East Africa, This will develop golf in the region” said Todd.
PGK Chairman Charan Thethy was delighted with the announcement.
“Congratulations to KCB and Karen for starting this journey, It’s a dream come true for us as PGK, having such a prestigious event is really good for Kenyan pros” said Charania.
The prize purse for next year’s event has been increased ten times up to US Dollars 150,000.The Sunshine Tour is a men’s professional golf tour based in Southern Africa.
“The KCB Karen Masters is honoured to be partners with The Sunshine Tour which so obviously mirrors the excellence for which we strive at the Masters, This is a promising time for Golf in Kenya, and partnerships like this one are proof of this fact. Together, I believe that we can put on a Tournament that fans and players alike will truly appreciate in July 2018” said Tournament Director Andy Watt.
The Tour is one of the six leading men’s tours which make up the International Federation of PGA Tours, which includes the PGA Tour, The European PGA Tour, The Japan Golf Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia, and the Asian Tour.
Dutchman Will Besseling won the 2017 KCB Karen Masters and the blue jacket.