Kenya’s recent successful hosting of the DP World Tour’s Magical Kenya Open and the Ladies European Tour’s Magical Kenya Ladies Open has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to developing golf and introducing the game to a wider demographic.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who attended the final day’s play at the Magical Kenya Open held at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi, said: “Golf has had a very long history from its beginning as a sport for the social elites. Today, it is a game that truly demonstrates the modern face of Kenya, with players and fans drawn from all walks of life.”
The Kenyan government has set aside $2.5m every year for the last five years towards the hosting of the Magical Kenya Open and has also supported the the Magical Kenya Ladies Open – a Ladies European Tour event that first launched in 2019 and has attracted many local and international players.
The 2022 ladies tournament, held at Vipingo Ridge, was won by Germany’s Esther Henseleit, who successfully defended the title she won when the championship was last held in 2019.
The 2022 Magical Kenyan Open men’s tournament was won by Ashun Wu from China, while 18-year-old Kenyan Njoroge Kibugu won the amateur category.
In recognition of Kibugu’s performance, President Kenyatta has announced that the young golfer will be sponsored by the Kenyan government to compete in the DP World Tour’s Soudal Open, which is being held in Belgium in May. The sponsorship will not only include costs of traveling to the tournament, but also the provision of coaching and equipment.
Kenyatta added: “The Safari Tour, popularly known as the ‘Road to the Kenyan Open’, together with the ongoing Junior Golf programmes, are also playing a significant role in ensuring we produce golfers that are able to compete at regional and global levels.
“We are also encouraged to learn that the Junior Golfers Foundation is collaborating with the US Kids Golf Foundation which is supporting our local scene by training our golf coaches and preparing our junior golfers for international tournaments.”
Kenyatta also commended the Junior Golf Foundation for its plan to introduce 6,000 young Kenyans to the game by the end of 2023. A golf programme is also to be rolled out as part of the school curriculum.