East African golf prospects have gotten a boost after Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) organized the inaugural six-nation East African Golf Tour to encourage aspiring golfers, women golfers, amateurs, and professionals.
The event, organized by KCB in partnership with the Board of Sports and Youth Affairs, was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club to promote the region's golf culture.
The 8-month-long KCB East Africa Golf Tour, comprised of an 18-leg amateur series, will travel six nations and sixteen counties in Kenya, with Tanzania and Uganda holding two series apiece and the DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi hosting one tournament each.
The bank has pledged Ksh—sixty million to support the tournament.
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While acknowledging corporations' support for the country's athletic disciplines, CS for Youth Affairs and Sports Ababu Namwamba praised the event as an outstanding branding opportunity that will advertise Kenya as a top tourism destination.
"For KCB, we feel honored to be partnered with you because, through your participation, we have been ready to promote sports as a bridge across social and economic gaps, giving individuals a chance to improve their quality of life as well as grow the athletic facilities across the country," he believes.
The East African Golf Tour, according to KCB Group Human Resource Director Japheth Achola, is a fantastic platform that will strengthen the golf culture in East Africa by promoting participation.
"We have an extensive background and association with the sport of golf over decades, and we have been important in establishing chances for hundreds of golfers, allowing them to hone their skills and make a living out of it."
The Kenya tournament will be held at Vetlab Sports Club, Eldoret Golf Club, Limuru Golf Club, Railway Golf Club, Kakamega Golf Club, Nyanza Golf Club, Thika Sports Club, Nyeri Golf Club, Nakuru Golf Club, Kericho Golf Club, Great Rift Valley Lodge, Kitale Golf Club, Machakos Golf Club, Sigona Golf Club, Nyali Golf Club, Nandi Bears Golf Club, and Karen Country Club.
The winning golfers from each club will advance to the Pro-Am finals, which will be held in November 2023 at the Karen Country and Golf Club, and will feature 200 golfers from 40 teams from across East Africa.
