Fifty Junior Golfers Benefit from Golf Clinic at MKLO
Cultivating Kenya’s Young Talent
In a concerted effort to cultivate Kenya's young golf talent, Kenya’s Junior Golf Foundation, in collaboration with Safaricom and the Ladies European Tour (LET), organised a Junior Golf Clinic. The clinic took place at this month’s Magical Kenya Ladies Open (MKLO), that left a lasting impact on fifty young golf enthusiasts. Sponsored by Safaricom’s M-PESA GlobalPay, the clinic emphasised a commitment to nurturing the sport's growth within Kenya.
Empowering Through Mentorship
The event, held on the sidelines of the third round of the 2024 Magical Kenya Ladies Open at Vipingo Ridge in Kilifi County, saw the convergence of young, eager talent and mentorship. Drawing from the expertise of LET players, including Kenya's very own amateur golfer Jacqueline Walter and renowned professional golfer Camilla Lennarth, the clinic provided a platform for aspiring golfers to refine their skills under the guidance of seasoned pros.
Hosted outside the Vipingo Ridge PGA Academy, the young golfers from Future Hope Montessori School, supported by the Vipingo Village Fund, received coaching sessions in small groups, delving into various facets of the sport, from swing techniques to the intricacies of gameplay. The clinic also featured engaging displays of trick shots, captivating the imaginations of both participants and spectators alike.
Regina Gachora, President of the Junior Golf Foundation, emphasized the significance of such initiatives, stating, "These clinics provide an invaluable opportunity for them to learn from the best and develop the skills they need to succeed in golf and in life." Indeed, beyond honing their golfing prowess, the clinic sought to instil essential life lessons and values through sport.
Vipingo Village Fund: Discovering Future Stars
Furthermore, the Vipingo Village Fund, an initiative supported by Vipingo Ridge, continues to play a pivotal role in identifying and nurturing Kenya's future golfing stars. Through weekly lessons at the PGA Academy, the initiative aims to empower local talent and propel them onto the global stage.
One such talent is rising star Tatiana Genevieve, a former student of Future Hope Montessori School. Tatiana, who is now 17 years old, is from the Vipingo village where her mother runs the local dukka, has now been practicing at Vipingo Ridge since 2019. The teenager attended the golf clinic which was held on Saturday 10 February and saw local children get lessons from LET professionals. Tatiana has been competing in tournaments for the past two years and hopes to be playing in a professional event soon. Interviewed by LET Tatiana said:
“I started playing golf when I was 12 or 13 years old when the first LET event came to Kenya,” she said. “We had a professional golfer come to our school who was called Chris. I never did any sport in primary school, so I thought I’d give it a try. When I first held a club I was in love with it. I had a natural swing and after that, I was just into it. I never gave up and Vipingo Ridge took me in then and I started the lessons.
“When I’m in school, I normally come three times a week and during the holiday season I’m here every single day. I come to the gym and I do a lot of stuff here. My first competition was the Safaricom Tour which was two years ago, and I came seventh out of 70 kids. There was a local tournament which I won and that’s when I thought this is what we’re talking about, this is why I practice.
“My aim is to be a professional in my early 20s and if the LET is back next year then I would like to play in the tournament since my handicap is now in single figures.”
Tatiana who has a handicap of 9, won the Coast US Kids Golf Tournament, which was played over 6 matches and came second in the NCBA Kenya Invitational US Kids Junior Golf Competition.
Corporate Commitment To Sports Sponsorship
The junior clinic serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and mentorship in shaping the future of Kenyan golf.
Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom, reiterated the company's commitment to sports sponsorship as a catalyst for societal transformation. "Safaricom sponsors various sporting events, from marathons to golf events, using these platforms to bring communities together while identifying and nurturing new talent," he affirmed.
Vipingo Ridge is committed to educating and nurturing young golf talent and will host clinics every Tuesday with Children form different schools. The most recent Clinic was held on February 21st with young students from local school, Promise.
