Magical Kenya Open receives Ksh34m boost from KBL as Kenyan pros prepare to tee off

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GOLF Magical Kenya Open receives Ksh34m boost from KBL as Kenyan pros prepare to tee off

Joel Omotto 14:45 - 20.02.2024

The 2024 Magical Kenya Open has been boosted to a tune of Ksh34 million by KBL ahead of Thursday’s tee off at the par-71 Muthaiga Golf Club.

The 2024 Magical Kenya Open, which tees off at the par-71 Muthaiga Golf Club on Thursday, has received a Ksh34 million injection from Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL).

Through its premium whisky brand Johnnie Walker, KBL has booted the event, renewing its long-standing partnership with the tournament.

The sponsorship grants EABL the right to be the official alcoholic beverage partner of the tournament, through which it will seek to elevate the event’s experience, sponsoring entertainment at the tournament village and offering fans a taste of its brands.

The sponsorship will also support the tournament organisers, the Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) to meet their obligations around event organisation and the prize money.

Additionally, EABL will sponsor three of the Kenyan pro golfers participating in the tournament; Dismas Indiza, Samuel Njoroge, and Daniel Nduva.

The Magical Kenya Open is held under the umbrella of the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) and is one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in Africa, attracting elite golfers from across the world.

This year, the event will be held from February 22-25, 2024 at the par-71 Muthaiga Golf Club, with a Pro-Am preceding it on Wednesday. This year’s event will mark the fifth staging of a full European Tour event in Kenya since it was added to the elite series in 2019.

The 2024 edition has attracted 144 elite golfers from Kenya and around the world who will battle for the $2.5 million (Ksh36 million) prize purse.

"We are proud to renew our partnership with the Magical Kenya Open and to sponsor the tournament through our premium spirit brand, Johnnie Walker. As a long-standing supporter of golf in Kenya, we are committed to providing fans with a bespoke and memorable experience at the tournament. We look forward to seeing our brands bring excitement to the tournament village and we promise fans an unforgettable experience," said KBL Managing Director Mark Ocitti.

The Kenyan contingent at the tournament will comprise Indiza, Nduva, Greg Snow, Mike Kisia, Mohit Mediratta, Samuel Njoroge, Daniel Nduva, Jastas Madoya, Mutahi Kibugu and Njoroge Kibugu.

The nine were picked from the Safari Tour Order of Merit, where the top eight locals and two best regional players made slots.

The regional qualifiers are Zimbabwean Visitor Mapwanya and Uganda’s Ronald Rugumayo, Ugandan David Kamulindwa.

The eight local pros and two regional golfers will be joined by four local amateurs including John Lejirma, Deaflympics bronze medalist Isaac Makokha, Africa’s second-best hitter Michael Karanga, Josphat Rono and Taimur Malik.

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