Absa Bank MD Abdi Mohamed appends his signature on a dummy cheque as KOGL’s Patrick Obath, CS Ababu Namwamba and PS Peter Tum watch

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Absa Bank Kenya PLC has today announced a Sh 75 million investment for the upcoming 2024 Magical Kenya Open (MKO) tournament; becoming the tournament’s official presenting partner.

As part of this sponsorship, Sh 55 million has been set aside to support the Local Organising Committee through Kenya Open Golf Limited, ensuring the delivery of another world-class tournament. The remaining Sh 20 million is allocated to enhancing the overall experience, creating memorable experiences for attendees and followers of the tournament. With this sponsorship, Absa Bank underscores its commitment to promoting national development through sports tourism and fostering talent and enterprise.

The Magical Kenya Open serves as a premier global stage where golfers from across the globe converge to exhibit their talents and vie for victory at Muthaiga Golf Club, renowned as one of the region’s most prestigious and challenging courses. Scheduled from February 22 to 25, this esteemed tournament promises thrilling competition and unparalleled excitement for players and spectators alike.

This year’s edition will be more than just golf, will feature the first-ever African golf for the disabled with 10 players from all over the world as well as a charity dinner for sports development. In addition, a business conference is planned which will bring together government, business leaders and investors with the aim of attracting investors to Kenya, including DP World.

Speaking during the announcement ceremony, Absa Bank Kenya PLC’s Managing Director, Abdi Mohamed, emphasized the bank’s long-term commitment to elevating the tournament’s stature which goes beyond golf to creating impact across various sectors of the economy.

“As a brand, we have a long-standing sponsorship of golf in this country, which has promoted Kenya as both a sporting and a tourism destination while illuminating the remarkable stories of determination and resilience within our nation. This tournament has proven itself as a platform that showcases Kenya to the world, as a vibrant tapestry of culture, talent, and opportunity,” said Mr. Mohamed.

Mr. Mohamed further highlighted the significance of the MKO as a driving force for positive societal change saying: “This tournament represents a story of business opportunities spanning various sectors, including transport, entertainment, hospitality, and beyond. It serves as a cultural showcase, enriching our communities and empowering our people well aligned with our purpose of Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together … one story at a time. Additionally, we have harnessed the unique influence of sports, such as golf, to unite our stakeholders around sustainability and climate action through our Birdies for Good initiatives.”

On his part, Hon. Ababu Namwamba, EGH, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, said: “We are committed to creating an enabling environment for sports organizations, both public and private to thrive. We are working on policies that encourage private-sector partnerships. These collaborations are instrumental in providing the necessary resources to organize world-class events and support our sportsmen and women in their pursuit for excellence.”

Speaking at the same event, Patrick Obath, the Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) tournament director, expressed his appreciation for Absa’s continued support saying: “The MKO 2024 is a platform that transcends sports and provides opportunities to enhance socio-economic and sustainability linkages around the globe. With the support of like-minded partners like Absa, we look forward to delivering an unforgettable experience for players, spectators, and partners alike,” said Obath.

This year’s edition promises to be an exhilarating showcase of talent, attracting over 140 elite golfers from across the world, including 9 Kenyan professionals (Pros) and three regional pros as well as four amateurs taking a shot at the mouth-watering $2 million prize purse. It is also moment to showcase and build authentic connections with Kenyans who are lovers and fans of the sport.

The Kenya Open, which was first held in 1967, has grown to become one of Kenya’s and Sub-Saharan’s most prestigious sporting events.

Singapore’s Shannon Tan poses with her trophy after winning the 2024 Magical Kenya Ladies Open at Vipingo Ridge Golf Club, Baobab Course, in Kilifi County today. February. Tristan Jones/ LET

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Nineteen-year-old Shannon Tan from Singapore carded a final round of 3 under par 70 to taker her total score for the tournament to 12 under par 280 to win the 2024 Magical Kenya Ladies Open on her debut event on the Ladies European Tour (LET). She edged out her closest challenger, Alessandra Fanali from Italy, by four shots to seal her fantastic debut win on the Tour and become Singapore’s first LET winner. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with a meridianbet.

She had a hot start to her final round, holing three birdies in the first five holes before dropping a shot at the par-five sixth. She immediately recovered that shot in the par-5 seventh with a birdie, before dropping another short at the par-3 eighth to card a total of 35 on the first nine. She played bogey-free on the back nine, holing a birdie at the par-5 11^th for a total of 35.

Shannon, who came to the Magical Kenya ladies Open being the first player from Singapore to secure a full LET card, went to the Lalla Aicha Q-School in Morocco in December last year for the experience but ended up finishing in the top 20, securing her full LET card and thereafter making the decision to turn pro.

Speaking after the round, she said: “It was close until hole 16 where it was like a one-shot difference… but I stuck to my own game plan just trying to hit every fairway and every green I can. So, basically, that was my game plan throughout the whole day today. It was a tough decision to begin with, but I made the decision.”

Commenting on becoming the first winner from Singapore on the LET, she said: “I would say I am proud. Juniors back home [now] know that it is possible, and they know anything is possible and I guess it [will] kind of push them a little bit and inspire them. I will I go into every event with the same mindset and target; just trying to do my best and control what can be controlled; so, I will just try and stick to my game plan throughout the whole season.”

For her outstanding performance in Vipingo, Shannon will bank Sh 7.9 million (€45,000), earn 500 LET order of merit points, and qualify to play at next week’s prestigious Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF whose prize kitty is Sh 812 million (USD 5 million).

On her part, 24-year-old Alessandra Fanali played level par 37 on the first nine courtesy of birdies at the second and the seventh holes and bogeys at the fifth and the eighth. She made a steady start to the back nine, playing bogey-free through the first five holes before holing a birdie at the par-5 15^th. She, however, dropped consecutive shots at the 16^th and 17^th holes for a score of 1-over par 74 for the day; taking her total for the tournament to 8-under par 284.

For her runner-up finish, Alessandra will bank KES 4.7 million (€27,000) and earn 320 order of merit points and will also take part at next week’s Aramco Saudi Ladies tournament.

Speaking after the round, Alessandra – who has five previous top-ten finishes in the Tour – said:

“It has been a very good week for me. I am very proud of myself, honestly, I came into this week, as I said before, just to try and test my game and see where I was so, I am very happy about it. Today, I tried it, I gave myself a chance, but my putts didn’t really want to go in so, it’s okay. Next week is another week and we’ll see what’s going to happen in the next few weeks.

“I think just a couple of more putts would have dropped and it was going to be a lot easier for me to catch up some shots in the last holes but, it is what it is, and probably it wasn’t meant for me, but it’s fine.

“I am very proud, as I said, of my game: I am hitting shots very well, irons off the tee, my short game is very good, my putting is very good so, I am just very happy about it. A good week for the start of the season.”

There was a five-way share for third place featuring Belgium’s Manon De Roey, Spain’s Ana Pelaez Trivino, England’s Alice Hewson, Chiara Tamburlini from Switszerland and Nataliya Guseva – who all ended their challenge in Vipingo with scores of 4-under par 288 to complete the podium places.

The 2024 Magical Kenya Ladies Open teed-off for the fourth edition of the event at the PGA Baobab Course in Vipingo Ridge on Thursday this week, bringing together 108 golfers among them five Kenyan amateurs. The tournament attracted the participation of golfers from 36 nationalities and was broadcasted live globally across eleven territories.

The event was sponsored by the Government of Kenya, The County Government of Kilifi, Safaricom’s MPesa, Huawei, East African Breweries Limited, and Absa Bank Kenya.