Kenya Open in massive boost as Barclays pumps in Ksh 220 million

The Kenya Open Golf Championship has received a massive shot in the arm after Barclays Bank Kenya pumped in some Ksh. 220 million towards the tourney.

Speaking on Tuesday during the announcement at the Karen Golf Club, Barclays Kenya Group Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Awori said the deal will run for the next two years as they jointly purpose to create a tournament with a global appeal using the lessons learnt from last year’s tournament as a benchmark.

Of the total sum, Awori said Kshs.70 million will go towards  enhancing the profile of the tournament while the rest of the sum directed to the competition.

“We are making a commitment to invest KShs. 220 million over the next two years; of this KShs. 150 million will be directed to the tournament with the rest being directed to enhance the profile of the tournament,” he pledged.

Kenya Open Golf Limited Chairman Peter Kanyago expressed his delight over the deal noting that it will bolster the golf sector in the country.

”We are delighted to be extending our partnership with Barclays Kenya for the next two years, as one of our key sponsors. Barclays has been a valuable partner to us through its sponsorship over the last eight years. On behalf of the Kenya Open Golf Limited Board, I particularly thank the Board and Management of Barclays Kenya for its continued support.”

The Kenya Open Golf Championship founded in 1967 has been an annual European-based Challenge Tour held at Nairobi’s Muthaiga Golf Club with the exceptions of 1968, 2004–08, and 2013–16 editions which were held at the Karen Country Club.

This year’s edition of the Kenya Open Golf Championship will be held at the Karen Golf Club and will run from 14th to 17th March.

Seve Ballesteros, Ian Woosman, Ken Brown, Edoard Molinari and Christy O’Connor Jnr are just but some of Europe’s Ryder Cup golfers that have previously won the title.