PRO-AM SETS PACE FOR 2023 MAGICAL KENYA LADIES OPEN
The PGA Baobab course at Vipingo Ridge
By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS
A large field of 226 players tee off Wednesday morning for the Pro-Am competition to curtain raise Thursday’s tournament proper for the latest edition of the Magical Kenya Ladies Open at the lush par-72 PGA Baobab course at Vipingo Ridge.
The day-long event that tees off at 7 am has attracted 152 amateur players including 74 professionals. Wednesday’s action would act as warm-up with the likes of tournament favourites 24-year-old Ana Pelaez Trivino of Spain, defending champion Esther Henseleit and Pia Babnik, the highest-ranked player at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open and Kenya’s Naomi Wafula, set to be the main attractions among the professionals.
As for the amateurs, Avani Prashanth of India, 96th on the World Amateur rankings, and the Kenyan duo of fast-rising juniors, Mariam Mwakitawa and Rohini Shah, will be taking their place on the field. Former Kenya Sevens rugby star Lavin Asego will also be competing, having made the switch from the rugby pitch to the golf course five years ago.
U.COM Event Managing Director Dirk Glittenberg said: “The Pro-Am is a great opportunity for the professionals to get a last feel of the course before the tournament tees off. It is also a great chance for the amateurs to measure up their game against the professionals. We have a very exciting mix for this year’s event, which should set the stage for a great week of golf.”
The main championship tournament tees off tomorrow with a field of 96 players, including six amateurs. The full field will play for two days before the cut which will determine the players that will play through the weekend to crown the 2023 Magical Kenya Open Ladies winner on Sunday.
Spectators can purchase tickets to the four-day tournament through the online platform www.ticketsasa.com which are retailing for Sh 500 per day.