Barclays Kenya Open tees off 50th Anniversary celebrations with a bang

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

The Barclays Kenya Open Golf has kicked off the tournament’s 50th anniversary celebrations with a ceremonial ‘tee off’ from the KICC building in Nairobi.

On its part, Barclays has committed a total of KES82 million this year, comprising Sh50 million for Barclays Kenya Open sponsorship and KES32 million that will go towards a six tournament series which will feature amateur players and junior golfers.

The total prize kitty for this year’s has increased 127%  to KES62.5 million (Euros 500, 000), up from KES27.5 million (Euros 220,000) last year; making the Barclays Kenya Open the richest tournament in the European Challenge Tour which is expected to increase participation of local players and attract a higher caliber of players from across the globe.

The Series, which was launched in Eldoret last year, will feature the Nairobi Open at the Karen Golf Club on February 2nd, followed by the Nakuru Open at the Nakuru Golf Club on Saturday, 10 February, then the Kisumu Golf Open at the Nyanza Golf Club on 24 February. These will be followed by the Pwani Open at the Nyali Golf Club on 3 March, and then the Mt. Kenya Open at the Thika Golf Club on 10th March.

“2018 marks the most memorable of milestones for the Barclays Kenya Open as it reaches its 50th Anniversary and in this most special of years, I know everybody involved in the organizing of this magnificent event is working towards making it the biggest and most memorable of the European Challenge Tour 2018 calendar,” said Barclays Bank of Kenya Managing Director Jeremy Awori.

Speaking at the event, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Hon. Najib Balala, reiterated the Government’s commitment to continue supporting the Kenya Open Golf Championship for the role it plays in enhancing tourism in the country. The event continues to put Kenya on the international map alongside other sporting events like Athletics and Rugby.

 “As the Ministry of Tourism, we are committed to consolidating the gains we’ve made over the years and making Kenya a must-see destination for the discerning international golfer. We commit to continue supporting sports events such as the Kenya Open Golf Championship that provide an international audience that can be used to market Kenya as a sports tourism destination,” he said.

The CS added that the Ministry of Tourism, through the Kenya Tourism Board, would soon be making public details of a sponsorship commitment to this year’s Kenya Open tournament."

Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) Chairman, Mr. Peter Kanyago, lauded Barclays Bank of Kenya for the continued support, adding that it is such partnerships that have continually enhanced the stature of the event into what it is today.

 

“From 2011 to 2015, Barclays Bank of Kenya’s sponsorship for the Kenya Open was worth KES 64million. However, from 2016 to 2018, Barclays Bank increased that sponsorship to KES 90million; setting the sponsorship bar for the tournament, in the process helping enhance the stature of the championship in the European Challenge Tour calendar. To Barclays Bank, thank you very much. Without your generous support this far, we would not be here.”

The main event of Kenya Open 2018 edition will kick off on 22nd March and run until 25th March 2018 at Muthaiga Golf Club. It will be preceded by the Kenya Open Golf Limited and Barclays Bank of Kenya Pro-Am events on the 20th and 21st of March 2018 respectively.

This year, 156 golfers, including about 22 Kenyan professionals, six Kenyan amateurs and over 100 European Challenge Tour players, are expected at the Barclays Kenya Open Championship.

“This year marks the eighth consecutive year that Barclays is being associated with this prestigious tournament.  It is the triumphs and successes which have been recorded through this tournament that fuel us to continue being a part of this amazing showcase,” said Awori.

 “With 50 years of golf heritage and the stunning tournament setting, our intention is to elevate the event’s reach beyond its traditional heartland of golf fans and place the event firmly at the heart of Kenyan society where it belongs,” he further added.

On his part, the Cabinet Secretary for Sports and Culture Hassan Wario said: “The government will continue to explore ways to partner with the likes of Barclays Kenya Open to identify potential areas of partnership to grow the sport both nationally and at county levels.”

He added that the Barclays series, planned for different counties targeting amateurs and young golfers, act as an important catalyst for the growth of the sport at the regional levels.

“Going forward, I would like to challenge all the stakeholders to consider partnering with organizations like Barclays Bank and the Kenya Open Golf Limited to expand the number of regions where the series are held,” he added.

This year’s event will also see the inaugural ‘winner’s jacket’ handed over in the style of the famous Master’s Green Jacket at Augusta. This jacket will be designed by local designers.

To enhance growth and development of golf in the country, Mr. Kanyago said the KOGL is in advanced discussions with the Kenya Golf Union on modalities of achieving this across the country and shall be making an announcement in this regard in due course.

“In time, and in collaboration with the Kenya Golf Union, we will be announcing elaborate plans for golf development across the country,” he said.