‘The home of golf’ welc*mes D-Tour action
The 53rd edition of the Magical Kenya Open Championship makes a comeback at the Muthaiga Golf Club on 3-6 March, 2022. First held in 1967, the Kenya Open Golf Championship has continuously upheld its reputation as the stage for budding champions. It was quite common to see some of the best golfers in the world playing at the Kenya Open in the 1970s and 1980s. Golfing greats like Severiano Ballesteros and Ian Woosnam were some of the winners from years past. More recently, a quick look at the top 100 list reveals a good number of recent winners and participants of the Kenya Open Championship.
Inspecting the Muthaiga golf course last month, prior to the event, Sports, Culture and Heritage Cabinet Secretary, Amb. (Dr.) Amina Mohamed noted that the preparations for this year’s Magical Kenya Open are in top gear and commended the Kenya Open Golf Limited for maintaining international standards in the organization of the event.
“I am extremely proud that as a country, we are able to hold a sporting event that meets international standards, like the Magical Kenya Open,” said CS. Amina. “Our pristine and world-class golf courses have ensured that we have hosted golf giants since 1967, who have displayed their skills on the Kenyan soil.”
Appreciating government efforts in supporting the golf industry in the country, Kenya Open Golf Limited’s Chairman, Peter Kanyago said that he was happy that the government through the Sports Arts and Social Development Fund in conjunction with the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage had once again, generously stepped up to support the event through provision of the prize fund for the event.
“It is through government support and commitment that this event was elevated to the elite European Tour that eventually became the DP World Tour,” said Mr. Kanyago.
Ready to go
“We can confidently say that we are all set and ready for this year’s championship and happy to see it return to Muthaiga Golf Club, where it all started. We look forward to welcoming the players, spectators and our esteemed partners to experience the magic of the game of golf at the “home of golf”,” said Mr. Kanyago.
Speaking during a Directors tour athe Course last week, Tournament Director Patrick Obath registered his pleasure on the process of fine-tuning the surface and indeed buzzing up the atmosphere ahead of the tournament proper.
“The Organizing team have done a marvelous job on collaboration with the groundsmen at Muthaiga Golf Club. Last time we had a tournament here,we were still at Challenge Your level bit now it has been upgraded to the European DP Tour. We have had about six months preparing the course and so far we have measured the whole play area and put in equipment and hardware.The greens are looking lush and nice because we have been giving them regular treatment,” he said.
Obath added: “Security aspect is top notch so players and fans visiting should be rest assured of a nice show,”said the TD who also revealed that players especially foreigners will not be in a bubble and that from Tuesday next week the whole lot of 156 players should be all at the course awaiting the go.”
Obath said that a field of 156 golfers will take part in the 2022 Magical Kenya Open with a prize purse of Sh 227.7 million ($ 2 million).
“With live global broadcast coverage across four days, the Magical Kenya Open is a great opportunity to promote Kenya as a golf destination to the world and support Kenyan golf. The event will be produced for live TV coverage across four days with the world feed being distributed all over the world,” he said.
He added that in accordance with government regulations on the Covid-19 pandemic, the event shall be held in strict adherence to health and safety protocols.
“While we are having an event with spectators this year, we have ensured that we have put in place adequate measures to protect the health of everyone who will be involved in the event. All government protocols with regards to the Covid-19 pandemic will be fully implemented throughout the tournament.”
The Magical Kenya Open has a history dating back to 1967 and appeared on the European Tour’s schedule for the first time in 2019, having previously taken its place on the Challenge Tour schedule since 1991.
