Safari Tour is leading the way in integration of ladies

Andrew Chelogoi tees off during the Standard Group Golf Tournament at the Eldoret Golf Club [Courtesy]

There were a few newcomers to the new season of the Safari Tour at the Nyali Golf and Country Club this week. There was 21-year-old Matthew Wahome, a product of the Nyali junior programme, who recently turned professional and chose to play his inaugural tournament in his home club.

Wahome gave a good account of himself on his first tournament by not only making cut but he was able to bring in some decent scores in the first two rounds. 

Then there was Becca Mwanja, last year’s captain of the Uganda amateur team to the Victoria Cup, also playing in his inaugural tournament as a professional. Despite missing the cut by one stroke, Mwanja has what it takes to do well among the professional golfers.

For me, the most outstanding feat was the entry of 13-year-old amateur golfer Andrew Wahome, who is following in his older brother’s footsteps. Playing off handicap five, the younger Wahome’s second round of 75 strokes, which was one stroke better than the average score by professionals on that day.

The exposure that Andrew Wahome got by playing with the best golfers that we have in the country will not only make him better at the game but it also planted a seed in him.

He walked up to me during the third round as we watched the professionals teeing off the fifth hole. He watched Dismas Indiza’s tee shot which was close to where we were.

He walked up to Indiza’s ball and started visualising the second shot. “Soft nine-iron above the tree…” he muttered softly to himself. Then he walked back to me and announced without any prompting:

“I am going to turn professional one day!” “Good for you” I responded in encouragement.

I looked at him and just thought that a few more of Andrew Wahomes and the Safari Tour will have achieved its goal of developing golf in Kenya. It is golfers who start at an early age and have grit who will one day stand a chance of winning the Magical Kenya Open.

The most remarkable entry to the Nyali round of the Safari Tour was that of Bhavi Shah. She walked in as though she has always been playing on Safari Tour. In her confident and dignified manner, she announced the entry of professional lady golfers to the Safari Tour.

It is now time for ladies to think of golf as a profession. For a long time, Kenya has only had one lady professional golfer, Rose Naliaka.

The talented girls, like Naomi Wafula and Kellie Gachaga, who have been winning tournaments across the country, now don’t need to leave the country to hone their skills.

Competing against the more physically powerful men will give them a good sense on how to play well and also get them playing in competitive rounds.

Bhavi may not have made cut, but it is now clear for all to see that this Tour is meant for development of both ladies and gentlemen. As a professional golfer Bhavi was not getting enough competitive rounds and that may be to blame for her not-so-good round.

She was not fazed when she learnt that her first-round score was not good enough to continue playing on the second day.

She took it in her stride and she promised to be present for the Safari Tour event at Royal Nairobi Golf Club.

The ladies may not be eligible to play in the Magical Kenya Open in its current state. However, given that we in Kenya play a lot of mixed competitions, this may be the start of a new phase of professional golf in Kenya where ladies are not left behind.  

Vincent Wang’ombe is an executive member of Kenya Golf Union