Ladies European Tour comes to Kenya

Vipingo Ridge and event organisers U.COM Event GmbH, in collaboration with title sponsor Magical Kenya and presenting partner M-PESA, have announced the inaugural Ladies European Tour event on East African soil.

The Magical Kenya Ladies Open will take place from December 5-8 this year on Vipingo Ridge’s Baobab Course -the only (UK) PGA accredited golf course on the continent.

Not only will this event mark the very first time professional lady golfers will have played competitively in the region but it will also be the final event of the 2019 season after the Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de Espana from November 28 – December 1.

The 72-hole stroke play competition will prove a significant milestone in the history of the sport in Kenya and work to motivate the next generation of female players throughout the country.

The field size is expected to be 96 and in an invitation to the players, Amb. Dr. Amina Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage, said: “We are pleased to host the Magical Kenya Ladies Open for the first time.

“lt is our hope and expectation that your participation will inspire other women to take up the sport and awaken their potential to play professionally. We warmly welcome all the players to Kenya and wish everyone a rewarding experience in our magical country.”

Broadcast live across the globe to millions of viewers, the event will showcase Kenya as a unique golfing and holiday destination as well as elevate the country as an important player on the world’s stage, not just in terms of golf but sports in general.

Dirk Glittenberg, Managing Director of U.COM Event, explains “Our long-term vision of bringing women’s professional golf to Kenya is finally becoming a reality.

“We are always striving to find new destinations for the Ladies European Tour and the Kenyan Coast will be a very memorable one for all players, their guests and TV spectators worldwide.”

In a statement from Vipingo Ridge, Chairman Alastair Cavenagh added “Following on the heels of an exciting Solheim Cup in Scotland, Vipingo Ridge is extremely proud to be playing its part in promoting ladies’ golf as well as tourism in Kenya. We are especially pleased to be bringing the event to the Coast region.”

Michael Joseph, CEO of Safaricom, said of the partnership, “We are honoured to be a key sponsor of the first ever Ladies European Tour event in Kenya and the region. At Safaricom, we have always been keen at promoting the growth of sports and sporting talent in the country.”

The tournament will be preceded by a Pro-Am on the 4th December and the event organisers will be contacting the top amateur Kenyan golfers to take their place alongside the professionals.