Over 9,000 golfers participated in the successful tournament that is sponsored by Safaricom featuring in different categories of the sport including corporate and junior tournaments. More importantly, the series featured golf clinics and Outreach programs that were aimed at taking the sport closer to the people as well as introducing it to as many juniors as possible.
After an intensive 14 legs played across different courses in the country, the inaugural Safaricom Golf series comes to a close this weekend with the line up of the best from the series facing off at the PGA Rated Vipingo Ridge course at the Coast.
Over 9,000 golfers participated in the successful tournament that is sponsored by Safaricom featuring in different categories of the sport including corporate and junior tournaments. More importantly, the series featured golf clinics and Outreach programs that were aimed at taking the sport closer to the people as well as introducing it to as many juniors as possible.
After its launch at the Golf Park in Nairobi earlier in the year, The Safaricom Golf tour has traversed the entire Kenyan landscape starting from the picturesque Nanyuki course overlooking the beautiful Mt. Kenya before heading to Limuru, Muthaiga, Nyanza, Machakos, Eldoret, Karen, Nyali, Kericho, Kitale, Nakuru, Kenya Airforce, Vetlab and Royal Nairobi Golf Club.
The Grande final at the Vipingo course will include top performers from each of the 14 legs including Nakuru’s overall winner Kelvin Kiplenge who sees this as an exciting opportunity to advance his career, “I am proud to say that the introduction of the Safaricom Golf Tour has been a blessing to many, especially the young people who have been passionate about the sport but lacked opportunity and access.” He said.
Kiplenge further noted how the tour has opened up new opportunities for young aspiring golfers adding that “The tour has exposed many talents like me and many others. The tournament at my home club in Nakuru was the most historical in my ten-year golfing career. It was the first time I scored an eagle, which contributed to my victory. I have been practising regularly for the finals, and I hope to bring victory home,”
Speaking ahead of the Grande Finale, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa says “I am really excited about what our Golf Tour has been able to achieve. Through the spirit of Tuinuane, our series has been able to discover, nurture, lift and expose new talent from across the country. From what I have seen through our junior tournaments, I am confident that we have a great future as a golfing nation. I also believe that our finals at Vipingo Ridge will offer our finalists a great experience as they take to the course,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO Safaricom.
In addition to the Seniors Grande finale in Vipingo, Safaricom in partnership with Junior Golf Foundation has also planned a 3-day elite camp for the winners of the junior tournaments.