Florentyna Parker from England will be among the European Tour professionals touring Kenya this weekend.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

This Friday and Saturday will see lady professional golfers, who feature on the Ladies European Tour, play two Pro-Ams on Vipingo Ridge’s PGA Baobab Course during their inaugural visit to Kenya.

With 13 professionals now confirmed to attend the event, more than 36 Kenyan golfers are scheduled to participate alongside them.

Among these local players are 13-year-old Alyssa Jamal who earlier this month won Lady Captain’s Prize golf tournament at Nyali Golf and Country Club -an incredible fete for this young player beating participants with many more years of experience.

Jamal, who has already has a handicap of 8, is a promising junior athlete from Nyali Golf Club and Vipingo Ridge welcomes this younger generation to participate in such high-profile events, believing in the incredible part sport has to play in the development of Kenyan children and young adults. Other notable local players include former Ladies National Golf Champion, Naomi Wafula. The 20 year-old, from Kitale Golf Club, has already enjoyed a sterling career despite her age, representing Kenya in golf throughout her teens. Last year, she won the Nyali Bowl at the Ladies Coast Open.

Mike Round Turner, General Manager at Vipingo Ridge stated “We look forward to welcoming these incredible young women and all the players involved to Vipingo Ridge later this week. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic event -one that we hope will showcase Kenya as a safe and quality destination for international sporting events.”

The Tour professional players will be on route from the Fatima Mubarak Ladies Open in Abu Dhabi to the Australian Ladies Classic Bonville and therefore will be making a stop in Kenya between tour events. The Pro-Ams, which will see amateurs pair with the LET professionals.

All 13 LET players have ranked in the top 100 in the 2018 Order of Merit, with Florentyna Parker from England being the most famous in the field after three professional wins and representing Europe in the 2017 Solheim Cup in Des Moines, USA. Parker placed 13th in the Order of Merit last year. Other players confirmed to attend are Noemi Jimenez Martin from Spain who finished 19th and Camilla Lennarth (Sweden) who was 23rd. Vipingo Ridge, in collaboration with U.COM Event, is hosting both events and is proud to promote Kenyan golf and its unique golfing destinations to the world.

Guy Moran, Head of Property and Development at The PGA, commented: “This event promises to be a triumph helping to put Kenyan golf on the map, especially by promoting ladies golf throughout the country and further afield. The PGA fully supports such activities and congratulates Vipingo Ridge, U.COM and partners for putting together a world-class Pro-Am at relatively short notice. We look forward to seeing many more of the same.”

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Najib Balala, Kenya Open Golf Limited Chairman, Peter Kanyago (second right), Sports Principal Secretary, Amb. Kirimi Kaberia and Barclays Bank’s Yusuf Omari at today’s function.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) has today unveiled sponsors for the 2019 Kenya Open Golf Championship, as the event draws near, and preparations hit top gear. The Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Tourism as well as the Ministry of Sports, Barclays Bank of Kenya, Kenya Breweries Limited and Hemingways Hotel were unveiled as some of the confirmed sponsors as conclusion on other sponsorships come to a close.

While making the announcement, KOGL Chairman, Peter Kanyago, thanked the sponsors for their renewed support of the Kenya Open Golf Championship, noting that the change in sponsor categories was necessitated by the improved status of the tournament.

“I note with gratitude that the journey towards the promotion of the tournament to the European Tour could not have been possible without the support accorded to us by our sponsors over the years. And for that, we remain truly grateful.”

Speaking at the same event Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Hon. Najib Balala expressed the Government’s belief in the potential that the Kenya Open has in growing Kenya’s Tourism.

“I am delighted to announce that the Ministry of Tourism, through the Kenya Tourism Board, will be sponsoring this year’s Kenya Open Golf Championship. Through the sponsorship, we believe that the Kenya Open will prominently position Magical Kenya to the global audience through the TV broadcasting opportunities that comes with the new status,” he said.

On his part, Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Sports and Heritage Amb. Kirimi Kaberia reiterated the Government’s commitment in supporting the growth of Golf in the country.

“The Government remains committed towards the growth of the sport and last year’s announcement by His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta on the intention to increase the Kenya Open prize money kitty from 1.1 Million Euros to 2.2 Million, was a clear indication of this commitment.”

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Najib Balala, Sports Principal Secretary, Amb. Kirimi Kaberia and Kenya Open Golf Limited Chairman, Peter Kanyago, at the official announcement of sponsors for this year’s tournament.

He added: “I am delighted to note that this year’s tournament will for the first time be played under the prestigious European Tour, after the increase in prize money. The promotion to the European tour is set to further strengthen the country’s position as a global sporting giant.”

Commenting on Barclays Bank’s commitment to this year’s Kenya Open, Barclays Bank of Kenya Chief Finance Officer, Yusuf Omari, said:

“Over the past 9 years, we have worked hand in hand with KOGL to grow the profile and stature of the Kenya Open and as we look back, we are proud to have played integral role in giving the tournament a global status, now part of the main European Tour. As we transition from Barclays to Absa, we are firmly committed to continue being a force for good in the society by supporting this tournament and other similar initiatives that have potential to unlock Kenya’s social-economic possibilities. This year, with a significantly higher investment, Absa Group is honoured to be playing a big role in showcasing Kenya and Africa to the world through the Kenya Open.”

While commenting on the tournament preparations, Kenya Open Tournament director Mr. Patrick Obath noted that the course at the Karen Country Club will be re-arranged to cater for both players and spectators.

“The course at Karen is going to be played in a different way to allow more room for spectators movement as well as the seating infrastructure that is going to be set up. The current 13th hole will be the first tee. Players will then play the 14th through the 18th holes, then go back to the 10th, 11th and the 12th for the first nine. They will then cross over to the first tee and play it the normal way,” he said.

Commenting on details of sponsorships, Chairman Kanyago said:

“Details of each of the above-mentioned sponsorships will be made known soon by the respective sponsors and partners during cheque-handover occasions.  Meanwhile, we are also in the final stages of finalizing agreements with a number of other sponsors and partners whose announcement will be made soon.”