Bhavi Shah during the 2019 Kenya Ladies Open at Vipingo Ridge.

By AMANDA DAMARIS AND DANIELLA APIYO

Nyali Golf and Country Club pro golfer, Bhavi Shah, is set to headline the Kenyan contingent’s charge when the 2022 Magical Kenya Ladies Open tees off from the 10th to the 13th of February at the 18-hole PGA Baobab Course at Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi County.

Bhavi, who will be returning to the tournament having taken part in the event’s debut season in 2019, will be flying the Kenyan flag alongside four amateurs – Naomi Wafula, Mercy Nyanchama, Chanelle Wangari, and Faith Chemutai.

Naomi and Mercy will also be making their sophomore outings at the tournament, with Chanelle and Faith being debutants this year. Naomi finished the event as the highest-ranked Kenyan in 2019, having carded a total of 13-over par 157 after 36 holes to finish tied in 87^th.

On her part, Bhavi ended her maiden Ladies European Tour (LET) campaign tied in 98^th and will be looking for a more robust finish this year. Commenting on the forthcoming event, she said:

“I am very excited that the Magical Kenya Ladies Open is back after a two-year break. I would like to thank all the sponsors and the hosts, Vipingo Ridge, for making the event possible and extending a special invite. I started preparing for this event late last year – a structured gym routine, some range work, and sharpening the short game. It will be a very competitive event, and being the first event of the year will set a tone for the tour. I am looking forward to our beautiful country being showcased and the local talent getting a chance to put our game to the test too.”

Bhavi, who for the second time will be the only Kenyan pro golfer at the event, will be hoping to floor a host of other participants drawn from different countries, including Germany, Spain, India, France, Finland, England, South Africa, among others.

Naomi – a former Kenya National Ladies Golf champion – is savouring the challenge ahead: “I am glad that I will be participating and competing amongst some of the top female golfers in the world at a Ladies European Tour event. I am currently down at Vipingo practising for the event, and I am ready and looking forward to it. I thank Vipingo Ridge, Kenya Ladies Golf Union, the Government, Magical Kenya, and all the sponsors for making this happen and for all the support,” she said.

15-year-old Chanelle will be looking to carry her recent top form into the event, having been crowned the 2021 Ladies Amateur Match Play Champion in September at an event held at her home club, Vet Lab Sports Club in Nairobi. The win came on the backdrop of yet another triumph in February that year when she was crowned the Kabete Ladies Open.

Naomi, Chanelle, Faith and Mercy have all been receiving support from Vipingo Ridge’s PGA Academy with custom club fittings as well as coaching of swing mechanics using the Academy’s high-tech launch monitor as part of a program with the Kenya Ladies Golf Union to support Kenya’s homegrown talent.

A field of 96 players will take to the course for a chance to be crowned the LET 2022 season opener winner at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open. Golf fans and enthusiasts will follow their favourite golfers at the course, following consultations with both the Kenyan Government and the LET – under which the tournament is organised.

Spectators can purchase tickets to the four-day tournament, the only women’s professional golf competition in the East African region. Tickets are available online on ticketsasa.com and are retailing for Ksh 500 per day. 

COVID-19 protocols that govern public events in Kenya will be strictly applied for the safety and health of fans and players. Only fully vaccinated spectators will be allowed to access the venue.

Nanyuki based golfer Cyprian Bundi tee off during the first leg of Safaricom Golf Tour at Nayuki Sports Club.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Former caddie and Nanyuki based golfer, Cyprian Bundi claimed the first leg of Safaricom Golf Tour after returning 39 stableford points in a colourful event held at Nanyuki Sports Club from Saturday 29^th to Sunday 30^th January 2022.

Mr. Bundi returned a total of 19 stableford points in the first nine and 20 on the second nine, totaling an impressive 39 points to secure a slot in the Grand Finale of The Safaricom Golf Tour to be held in Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi County, in August.

“I have come a long way, having in mind that I started my golfing career as a caddie and today, I am the winner of the Safaricom Golf Tour. I look forward to representing my club at the grand finale in Vipingo,” said Cyprian Bundi.

Taking the ladies top prize was Marion Githinji who posted 33 to win by one point from Dr Susan Ngure.

The first leg of Safaricom Golf Tour culminated in the Junior Golf Tournament, which saw Belinda Wanjiru emerge as the best girl with 76 points, while Justin Ngeera emerged as the best boy with 72 points.

Junior golfer Belinda Wanjiru (left) receives an award from Jackson Mutua of Safaricom.

“I started golf when I was three years old and the journey has been quite tremendous as I have kept improving my scores. My parents have been a great inspiration as they keep encouraging and supporting me in golf. I thank Safaricom for this tournament as it will help nurture and grow more young talents into the sport,” said Belinda Wanjiru.

The golf tour in Nanyuki attracted over 50 junior golfers and 52 corporate golfers who took part in the eighteen-hole tournament, which was preceded by a community outreach engagement at Kano Grounds in Nanyuki town.

Safaricom has invested Ksh 100 million in the golf tour, which aims at nurturing and growing talent in the country. The tour will be played in 14 golf clubs across the country.

After Nanyuki, the tournament proceeds to Limuru Golf Club on 26^th February 2022 before heading to the Muthaiga Golf Club.