Premium
Balala makes a name as golf rises from ashes of Covid-19 crisis in busy season
Adel Balala in action during the Kenya Amateur Open Stroke Play Championship at the par 73 Nakuru Golf Club course on October 24, 2021.
What you need to know:
- Kenya’s status as a top golfing destination was cemented when the European Tour hosted a double-header at the Karen Country Club
- After a long delay, the 2021/22 Safari Tour season finally kicked off in September at Sigona Golf Club
- For the first time, junior competitions were held across the country
The year 2020 was a dark one for Kenya in many aspects as the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted our way of life. Sports was certainly one of the most affected sectors as many tournaments were suspended as the government moved to curb the spread of the virus.
However, sports bounced back this year with most disciplines resuming their activities countrywide. Golf has particularly seen a rebound with various competitions being held in 2021 despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
They include the annual Magical Kenya Open, Kenya Savannah Classic, the Safari Tour, and a host of other national series such as the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series. At least 22 events, some of them being held back-to-back, were held amid the uncertainty brought about by Covid-19.
At the beginning of the season, Kiambu Golf Club’s Michael Karanga and Railway Golf Club’s John Lejirmah appeared like the men to beat until Nyali-based Adel Balala emerged on the scene.
Not only did Balala win a number of national events including the Kenya Amateur Stroke Play Championship in Nakuru, which handed him entry to the 2022 Magical Kenya Open, but he also clinched the Golfer of The Year title. He did it in style by winning his home event—the Nyali Open with a record aggregate of eight under par 205.
Balala and Lejirmah will be joined by two juniors in the 2022 Magical Kenya Open scheduled for March at Muthaiga Golf Club. Kenya Golf Union will give a wild card to the other participant.
Across the border, Lejirmah failed to defend his Uganda Open title in November; an event won by Uganda’s Joseph Chinywaai.
Besides the KAGC tournaments, a big number of corporate tournaments were held throughout the year, giving golfers a chance to hone their skills.
European Tour double-header
Kenya’s status as a top golfing destination was cemented when the European Tour hosted a double-header at the Karen Country Club. The Kenya Savannah Classic took place at the venue immediately after the Magical Kenya Open.
After being postponed in 2020 due to Covid-19 concerns, the Magical Kenya Open was finally held at the Karen Country Club on March 18–21. The tournament, which was being held for the second time under the European Tour umbrella, followed strict Covid-19 protocols. Players were placed in a bubble and fans were not allowed into the stadium. The event, presented by Johnnie Walker, was once again dominated by foreign players with South African Justin Harding shrugging off stiff competition from American Kurt Kitayama and Connor Syme from Scotland to win the title.
Kenyan players struggled as a result of being out of action for a long time due to Covid-19. Railway Golf Club player Samuel Njoroge was the only Kenyan who made the cut after firing three under par 68 to proceed to the money bracket on a total of two rounds of two under par 140. But he finished bottom of the list with an all rounds total of level par.
The Kenya Savannah Classic, which was held for the first time on March 23-26, came just two days after the conclusion of the Magical Kenya Open at the same venue. Yet again, the tournament was dominated by foreign players who set high standards which locals could not match. Another South African, Daniel van Tonder, beat Thailand's Jazz Janewattananod in a sudden death play-off at the 18th hole to claim the title —his first European Tour win in 49 appearances. He became the seventh South African winner in Kenya; following in the footsteps of Justin Harding's victory in the Magical Kenya Open.
Despite lack of fans, the two European Tour events underscored Kenya’s growing status because sponsors such as Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), who came in as the title sponsors, as well as Kenya Breweries Limited came on board. Kenya Breweries’ Managing Director John Musunga said golf is increasingly becoming a valuable asset for corporates to interact with their customers.
“The stature of the Magical Kenya Open on the global stage continues to grow, gaining prominence and becoming entrenched as an integral part of the annual European Tour calendar.
In the process, it continues to mirror KBL's goals and objectives, making it a natural partnership platform for us over the year,” said John Musunga will announcing KBL’s Sh40 million sponsorship.
For KTB, it was an opportunity for the country to revive the tourism sector which had been battered by the pandemic. KTB sponsored the golf competitions to the tune of Sh25 million.
“Kenya is widely known for its prowess in sports especially in athletics. Golf is now proving to be one of our major selling points as a destination,” said KTB chief executive officer Betty Radier.
Safari Tour
After a long delay, the 2021/22 Safari Tour season finally kicked off in September at Sigona Golf Club. This was followed by other events at Vet Lab, Great Rift Valley and Nyali golf clubs. But back-to-back events that had been scheduled for Leisure Lodge were cancelled at the last minute. The Tour shifted to Uganda’s Entebbe Golf Club - East Africa’s oldest golf course - where Kenya’s Justus Madoya beat compatriot Dismas Indiza and defending champion Robson Chinhoi to emerge top. The last three events of the Tour are set for Limuru, Karen and Muthaiga between January and February 2022.
NCBA Golf Series
The inaugural NCBA Golf Series, which had 22 tournaments and 3,000 entrants, kicked off in January. Two junior events that took place at Karen and Muthaiga golf clubs were also part of it. The top finishers qualified for the 2021 Rome Classic and the Big Five Tournament in South Africa in 2022.
NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora said the aim of the tournament was to promote golf in the country.
“Our goal is to facilitate the growth of local golf here in Kenya and in the process make Kenya an international golf destination. Sports sponsorship remains an important area for us because it is transforming the lives of many Kenyans,” said Gachora during the launch of the Series.
The Grand Finale held at Karen Country Club was the culmination of the seniors’ events. The participants included the top five qualifiers at various club events. Kericho Golf Club’s Tobias Messo, who had won the Kericho leg, carded a round of 45 points to emerge the Series champion.
Meanwhile, after a very lean 2020, it was a busy time for junior golfers this year. For the first time, junior competitions were held across the country. The highlights of the season were the Boys’ and Girls’ Championship where Vet Lab’s Leo Zurovac triumphed.
This year’s activities included the launch of the Uskids golf partnership with the Junior Golf Foundation, the Kenya Golf Union and Kenya Ladies Golf Union where over 40 local junior golf trainers enhanced their training skills.
Johnnie Walker Golf Series
Johnnie Walker, a long-term supporter of golf in Kenya, was also back with its own Johnnie Walker Golf Series dubbed “Road to Gleneagles” held at 20 golf clubs . The Grand Finale will be held in May 2022.
Corporate golf days
In September, Konza Technopolis launched the Konza InvesTeeing Golf Series as part of its stakeholder engagement platforms and in November, Kenya Revenue Authority held its inaugural Golf Open.
Despite the huge success in the sport, there were challenges too. Several events were called off in Kenya and other regions. They included the Africa Region IV in Uganda, the Africa Junior Golf Championship that was set for Cairo, and Victoria Cup planned for Kenya and Uganda. This meant that Kenyan amateur golfers missed the opportunity to play at international events.
