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.”

(Right to Left) Kenya Open Golf Limited Chairman, Peter Kanyago, Kenya Open Golf Championship Tournament Director, Patrick Obath, and European Tour Tournament Director Paul Carrigill, during an inspection of Karen Club today.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) has exuded confidence that it is set to host this year’s Kenya Open Golf Championship, with final preparations in top gear in readiness for Eastern Africa’s biggest golf tournament.

The Kenya Open, which this year will be held at the Karen Country Club from the 14^th to the 17^th of March, will be joining the prestigious European Tour – in a move that will significantly raise the profile of the tournament while enhancing Kenya’s golf tourism proposition.

Speaking during a course inspection by European Tour officials at the Karen Country Club today, KOGL Chairman, Peter Kanyago, said that the board is pleased with the progress it has made in preparing for this year’s tournament and that it is looking forward to host East Africa’s biggest golf tournament.

“We are pleased with the progress which we have made to prepare for his year’s Kenya Open whose preparations are currently in top gear. The course is in excellent condition, and from our assessment, it is actually ready for play as we speak. Together with the Karen Country Club, we continue to improve the it in readiness for the tournament,” he said.

He added that the Board is now in the final stages of finalizing sponsorship deals with partners with official communication on the same expected to be made next week.

“We shall be announcing our sponsorship details next week but, largely, we have finalized on our sponsorship engagements,” he said.

Speaking about the changes to be expected at this year’s Kenya Open, Kenya Open Golf Championship Tournament Director, Patrick Obath, said the Karen Country Club course layout will be re-arranged to accommodate the demands of the tournament from both a players’ and spectators’ perspective.

“The key change that is going to be there at the Kenya Open is that the course at Karen is going to be played in a different way to allow more room for spectators movement as well as the sitting infrastructure that is going to be set up. This means that Karen Country Club’s current 13^th hole will be the first tee. Players will then play the 14^th through the 18^th holes, then go back to the 10^th, 11^th and the 12^th for the first nine. They will then cross over to the first tee and play it the normal way. This means that the first nine will effectively become the back nine and vice versa,” he said.

Other changes set to be made for this year’s tournament include human flow improvement, with players and spectators having to go through the village before accessing the rest of the club.

“We have done quite a lot of work to prepare for this year’s tournament, including having the European Tour agronomist coming over to ensure that the course is at par with European Tour standards. We are therefore confident that we are ready to hold the tournament,” he added.

Commenting on the same, European Tour Tournament Director, Paul Carrigill, said that he was satisfied with the preparations that the Kenya Open Golf Limited has embarked on in preparation for this year’s tournament.

“The Kenya Open Golf Limited has improved the tournament over the last five or six years markedly, and now we have raised our level to the main tour of the European Tour so we will have better players playing. We have had a change of venue this year coming to the Karen Country Club and the course is in wonderful condition already, so everything is progressing well,” he said.

Paul added that with the tournament’s new status, the Kenya Open will have live broadcast which will significantly profile the tournament, and the country, on a global platform.

“We have national and international television this year live on all the four tournament days and that will make a massive difference and a great advert for Kenya. Kenya will be seen on the TV screen and the beautiful scenes here at the Karen Country Club will be passed around the world for everyone to see with the tournament being watched across the world by millions of viewers,” he said.

Total prize money for this year’s tournament will be Euros 1.1 Million; a move expected to attract the interest of top golfers from around the world.