Lack of local tourneys hurting pro golfers prospects, decries Kubwa

Local pro golfers have decried the limited domestic tournaments this year ahead of the highly anticipated Magical Kenya Open.

Speaking during the Magical Kenya Open launch at the Muthaiga Golf Club, their representative, Jeff Kubwa, cried foul on the lack of sponsorship deals to help the golfers prepare adequately for global tournaments.

The tournament received a massive shot in the arm yesterday after ABSA Bank committed Ksh. 60 million to support the course.

"This year, we haven`t played as much as we did in the past; this year, we had problems with the funding, and that has been a challenge for us. "

The four-day tournament will be played at the Muthaiga Golf Club and is expected to host an estimated 144 players from all over the world.

Eight Kenyan pro golfers are among the hosts of the competition that is expected to compete for the 2.5 million dollars’ bounty prize.

At the same time, Kubwa has reiterated the Kenyan`s readiness ahead of the tournament, maintaining that in spite of the limited tourneys locally, they are eager to make an impact and attempt to deliver a podium finish for the country, a feat that has not been achieved in a long time.

"My guys are adequately prepared as pro golfers in Kenya.

“We have had our internal series, although not much, but we are very prepared.'

Furthermore, the tournament is expected to host clinics for young golfers, having invited three young pro golfers to conduct the clinics.

According to Patrick Obath, the Director of the Kenya Open Gold Limited, the program is in line with the approaches to developing sports among the youth, especially for those aiming to make it pros.

"KOGL has invited three players, and these three players are expected to host clinics with our best juniors because they need to be an inspiration; they have gone through what (the juniors) are going through, and that will really be a reason for them to want to take up golf."