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 Kshs 32 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.
Speaking at the launch this morning, Barclays Managing Director Jeremy Awori said: “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.”
#BKO2018 #KenyaOpenat50 @Barclays_Kenya @BarclaysAfrica Proudly launching the 2018 Barclays Kenya Open celebrating its 50th anniversary. Looking forward to the best event yet & promote Kenya as a premier golf destination.
— Jeremy Awori (@JeremyAwori) January 24, 2018
“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.
Kenya Open Golf Championship has over the years contributed immensely to the promotion of Kenya as a golf tourism destination adding that it continues to play a critical role in positioning Kenya as the preferred golf destination in the region.
CS @tunajibu – 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 pic.twitter.com/kU8GfvJA1x
— Tourism Kenya (@Min_TourismKE) January 24, 2018
Kenya offers a unique golf tourism product; with international standard golf courses and resorts, magnificent weather throughout the year and affordable green fees at our golf courses, the Kenya Golf Open continues to play a huge role in showcasing the golf offering to the world.
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.
2018 also marks the 8th year that Barclays Bank has remained as the title sponsor for the tournament.
Jeremy commented on this and said: “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.”
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.
