KOGL chairman Peter Kanyago, Barclays Bank of Kenya MD Jeremy Awori and Kenya Golf Union chairman Muchau Githiaka during the launch of the 2017 Kenya Cup. PHOTO/Miano Muchiri
NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 14 – Barclays Bank of Kenya has announced a Sh50 million sponsorship deal for the 2017 Barclays Kenya Open tournament as part of its three-year partnership with the Kenya Open Golf Limited.
The 49th edition of the tournament will see participation of 156 golfers from across the world competing for the top price of Sh3.5mn (32,000 Euros), which will maintain the bank’s title sponsorship for the 2017 edition of the tournament for the seventh consecutive year
“Today we are announcing a total investment of Sh50 million for next year’s event all of which will go towards building the profile of the tournament with a special focus on making the fan’s experience better and more interactive,” Jeremy Awori, the bank’s Managing Director said Wednesday when he announced the sponsorship, “This goes to illustrate our commitment and dedication to the growth and development of golf in the country through the tournament.”
Also speaking at the ceremony held at Nairobi hotel, the Kenya Open Golf Limited chairman, Peter Kanyago said that he expects Kenya’s participating to be more competitive at next year’s competition due to the training offered from the European challenge officials which is currently taking place at the Muthaiga Golf Club from 14th -16 of December 2016.
“Kenyan pros are, for the first time in the history of the tournament, getting training courtesy of the European Challenge Tour ahead of the tournament next year,” he said.
The training has targeted 22 Kenyan Pros, who were selected by the Professional Golfers of Kenya Association.
The 2017 tournament will be preceded by the annual Pro-Am tournament that allows amateurs the opportunity to play with the professionals from around the world and also learn a few tips from them.
-Away from the Greens-
Like previous years, those attending the Open will be entertained as Director of Marketing & Corporate Relations at Barclays Bank of Kenya Caroline Ndung’u assured of nothing less but the best.
“We are excited to be the title sponsors yet again for the 7th consecutive year and the spectators can expect top quality entertainment in the village and all around will be entertained,” she said.
Preparations for the tournament are well underway with organizers expecting an increase in spectators to this year’s tournament due to a number of factors including ease of accessibility to the venue.
The Barclays Open is a golf tournament founded in 1967 and was mainly the European based challenge Tour since 1991, attracting an average of 9,000 people annually in Nairobi where it is held.
