Kenyans should march opponents as Open begins
There are an estimated 61 to 67 million golfers worldwide. In the United States alone, they are about 27 to 38 million.
A sports marketing survey says that of the 67 million global figure, Europe contributes around 7 million, Asia 13.8 million, Australia 1.8 million, South America 1.1 million and South Africa 600,000. The figures clearly indicate the continent at the top and the one that holds the wooden spoon. While North America has in the excess of 36.7 million golfers, Africa (South Africa excluded) barely registers a solid figure. But the figures are gradually improving in the East African region, specifically Kenya, and it can only be better.
The stage is now set for Kenyan golfers to prove their mettle against some of the best in the business when the 53rd edition of the Magical Kenya Open tees off at Muthaiga Golf Club on Thursday.
Apart from Jacob Okello who lost in a sudden-death play-off in 1998, we have had players like Dismas Indiza and the late Peter Njiru who have finished in the top five, and this year, the Kenyan team may be in a realistic position to break the jinx.
One of the reasons why the locals have not been very successful is the fact that they play few events throughout the year compared to players coming from other parts of the world. But now with the Safari Tour in place for the locals, Kenyans have every reason to put up a strong challenge against the other participants.
The event, which was started way back in 1967 by one John Sperling who ran it for several years through a private company before handing it over to Kenya Golf Union (KGU), has grown to become one of the most popular events in the Challenge Tour and currently the DP World Tour Championship (a golf tournament on the European Tour). It is arguably the only event that attracts massive media attention in the tour because of its high levels of organisation and the several tourist attractions within striking range, as foreigners can easily visit the Nairobi National Park, which is roughly a 20-minute drive from the venue of the event.
Mediamax Network Limited through its several brands - K24 Tv, K24 Plus, People Daily, Milele FM, Kameme FM, Kameme Tv and Emoo FM - will offer unrivalled coverage of the 72-hole competition for all golf enthusiasts who may not be able to reach Muthaiga for the action.
JAMES WAINDI
