Kenya Tourism Board boosts Kenya Open kitty

By Claire Wanja

The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has penned a one million shilling sponsorship deal with the Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) for this year’s Barclays Kenya Open, set to take place today (Friday) to Sunday at the Muthaiga golf club.

The sponsorship deal stretches KTB’s partnership with the annual tourney, as the official Media partner to 21 years.

“It is an honour for us to be able to support the Barclays Kenya Open Tournament. Golf Tourism presents an opportunity for Kenya to broaden her tourism offering beyond the safaris, and to uplift its image above that of mass-market destination. Golf – therefore, represents a fresh diversification of Kenya’s tourism products.

Kenya Open Golf Limited Director of Sponsorship, Kathleen Kihanya, lauded the Kenya Tourism Board for their support towards the 2017 Barclays Kenya Open.

“On behalf of the Kenya Open Golf Limited, let me express our gratitude to the Kenya Tourism Board for their continued support of the Kenya Open Golf Tournament. It is such partnerships that enable us host such a tournament year in year out,” Kathleen Kihanya said.

Giving an update on the tournament, Kathleen Kihanya mentioned that the Kenyan contingent of 22 professional and 6 amateur golfers had already been selected, and two PRO-AM tournaments had taken place on Tuesday, 21st March and Wednesday 22nd March, 2017.

This year’s championship will see a field of 156 players compete for a stake of the 220,000 Euros (KES. 25M) prize kitty.