Boost as Coca-cola inject 5.6m in 2019 Kenya Open

The Coca-cola System in Kenya on Tuesday announced a KSh. 5.6 million sponsorship deal with Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) making them the exclusive hydration partner for the Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship slated for March 14 to 17.

The beverage giant with its flagship water brand Keringet, will be the event’s official water hydration provider.

Making the sponsorship announcement and a cheque handover, Coca-cola Franchise Brand Manager Rodney Nzioka said the partnership with Kenya Open will boost the tournament’s profile while building on years of successful partnership in developing golf and promoting Kenya as a reputable destination for sports tourism.

“Following the elevation of Kenya Open to the elite European Tour from the Challenge Tour, the championship has evolved to international recognition, we are keen to continue our support and partnership with Kenya Open Golf Limited(KOGL) as we also market the country’s ability to host bigger international events, “Nzioka said.

Kenya Open Golf tournament has had tremendous growth owing to the support partner organizations bring into the competition .These engagements have seen the tournament get the nod to grow into the much coveted European Tour. The four-day golfing extravaganza will see elite golfers led by Ryder Cup winning skipper Thomas Bjorn descend on the par 72 Karen Country Club course with zest and vigor   .Kenya will be represented by six scratch amateurs selected from the 2018 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship and 12 professionals, nine of whom were picked from the recently concluded inaugural Safari Tour Golf Series.

Speaking at the ceremony, Kenya OPEN Golf Tournament director, Patrick Obath, said that a number of changes are expected at this year’s Kenya Open. According to Obath, the course lay-out will be organized in a way that accommodates demands of the tourney from both a players’ and spectators’ perspective.

“The course in Karen is going to be played slightly different from how it is usually played. We have changed the lay-out of the course primarily to provide spectator access to the first tee off so that people can see them starting and also provide spectator access to the finish.”

Hosung Choi from Korea and Shubhankar Sharma from India among others are some of the International golfers expected to grace the occasion.