NAIROBI, September 9 – The Kenya Golf Union (KGU) has launched a 16 tournament golf series aimed at promoting golfing talent in the country.
The series which is sponsored by South Africa Tourism, starts this weekend at Thika Sports Club and will run under the Golf Talent Foundation.
Fifteen clubs across the country will host the series with the national final to be held at the regal Windsor Golf and Country Club on March 28 next year.
Eight golfers will qualify from each round with a guaranteed ninth place for the best lady should none qualify.
KGU chairman David Nyakong’o said Tuesday that the series is tailored towards giving golfers a chance to compete at an elite level and also receive tips on how to improve various aspects of their game.
“The new KGU board has been mandated to reactivate the Golf Talent Foundation and ensure that we identify, pick, nurture and expose this talent early to professional advise and ensure that we have a pool of golfers that can do this country proud,” said Nyakong’o.
Nyakong’o, who added that the Union hopes to raise Sh2.8 million from 5000 golfers likely to participate in the series who will be asked to pay an entry fee of Sh1000 so as to fund the Golf Talent Foundation.
“Out of that Sh.1000, the foundation will receive Sh.700 while the host club will pocket Sh.300,” said Nyakong’o.
South African High Commissioner to Kenya Tony Msimanga said that his government was happy to support the initiative adding that it he was confident that it will yield tangible results for the development of Kenyan golf.
“I want to compliment the KGU and the Golf Talent Foundation for the work they are doing in providing opportunities to young talented golfers to make a career in this growing industry,” said the envoy.
Msimanga also said that Kenya and South Africa are in the final throes of signing the Agreement on Co-operation in the Fields of Sports and Recreation.
“Once such an agreement is signed and the Umbrella Joint Co-operation Commission launched later this year, we hope to see many more initiatives that will directly benefit the people of Kenya and South Africa,” said Msimanga.
The overall winner stands to win a five day golf holiday at the prestigious Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate which hosted the 2003 President’s Cup and is located in the Western Cape, South Africa.
South Africa Golf Series Fixtures:
Thika Sports Club- 13th September
Kiambu Club- 11th October
Muthaiga Golf Club- 1st November
Nyanza-8th November
Nakuru Golf Club- 15th November
Windsor Golf Club- 22nd November
Kitale Club-7th January
Nyeri Club-17th January
Sigona Golf Club- 31st January
Karen Country Club- 7th February
Vet Lab Sports Club-14th February
Railways- 21st February
Limuru Country Club- 28th February
Nyali Golf Club- 7th March
Royal Nairobi Golf Club- 21st March
Windsor Golf Club- 28th March
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