Kenya Open Golf safe in bank

The annual Kenya Open Golf Championship, the country’s premier golfing event, will for the next three years be sponsored by Barclays Bank of Kenya.

The bank on Thursday unveiled a Sh39 million three-year sponsorship with the Kenya Open Golf Limited.

Speaking at the bank’s Barclays Plaza headquarters after signing the agreement on behalf of BBK managing director Adan Mohamed, Barclays Corporate Banking director Nick Mbuvi said the sponsorship was an opportunity for the bank to contribute to improving the standards of golf in the region.

“Barclays recognises the power of sports to connect with customers and consumers from diverse backgrounds,” said Mbuvi.

“Barclays will work closely with the Kenya Open to identify ways of creating opportunities such as golf clinics to help local players sharpen their skills and encourage first-timers to participate in the sport.”

Kenya Open chairman Peter Kanyago said his committee was committed to a world-class tournament next year.

Changes in next year’s Open

He introduced new Kenya Open tournament director Patrick Obath, a past Kenya Open Golf Union chairman, who promised changes in next year’s March 31-April 4 Open at Muthaiga Golf Club.

Said Obath: “The Barclays Bank sponsorship makes the bank the title sponsor of the event which started in 1967 and became a PGA (Professional Golfers Association) European Challenge Tour in 1991.”

The 2010 event, also at Muthaiga, did not have a title sponsor as long-time partner East Africa Breweries had pulled out in 2009.