Kenyatta University partners with golf stakeholders to grow the game in Kenya

Kenyatta University is set to introduce golf as part of its Sports, Exercise and Sports Science programs from September following a partnership with the R&A, Kenya Golf Union (KGU), Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) and the Junior Golf Foundation.

The collaboration, which has been in the works since 2022, is aimed at increasing participation in the sport, training golf instructors and establishing a golf facility and performance centre at the university.

Speaking after a courtesy call by the golf delegation, Dr. Gitonga Kinuthia from Kenyatta University's Department of Physical Education, Exercise and Sport Science said the partnership had secured funding from the R&A to purchase the first set of golf training equipment for the programme.

"We are talking of funding that will help us acquire the first set of equipment to teach golf as a course beginning September this year," he said.

Dr. Gitonga added that faculty members and students have already undergone Community Golf Instructors training, enabling them to become trainers who will help grow the sport across the country.

He revealed that the university and the Kenya Golf Union are preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalise the partnership and launch the golf program.

The initiative also targets increasing the number of golfers in Kenya from the current estimated 17,000 to 18,000 to 50,000 by 2030 through capacity building and wider access to the sport.

Kenya Ladies Golf Union Chairperson Mukami Wangai said the partnership will not only support the development of a golf facility and performance centre at the university but also strengthen efforts to make golf more accessible.

"We very much look forward to our continued collaboration with KU and really showing that the game of golf is a game for everyone," she said.

She noted that Kenyatta University's strengths in education and sports science made it an ideal partner for the golfing fraternity.

Junior Golf Foundation President James Ondigo said the collaboration would help nurture the next generation of golfers by developing qualified instructors and creating an environment that supports elite talent.

"We need to have very focused programming, very structured training, and partnerships such as this help us in starting to develop the teachers of the game," he said.

R&A Africa Rules, Handicapping and Development Manager Vincent Wang'ombe said the partnership is intended to demystify golf and make it accessible to more people.

"The whole idea is to make it accessible. We don't have public golf ranges in Kenya, so this will be one of the things that Kenyatta University will be looking to do," he said.

He added that the planned golf range at the university will be open to the surrounding community, allowing residents to learn and play the sport while supporting the introduction of golf in schools through trained physical education teachers.