As Kenya seeks to become a golf tourist destination, a programme to promote the sport among youths in the country has been rolled out.
The programme, according to Ruiru Sports Club Golf Captain Karanja Muraguri, aims at making the sport accessible to youths from all walks of life.
Speaking at the launch of the captain's tournament, participated by 300 golfers, Karanja said that they were demystifying the sport by creating more awareness of the sport to lure more players into the sport.
He noted that in the ambitious programme, they are addressing and overcoming the misconceptions that golf is a sport for the rich elites.
“Golf has been considered for the wealthy in the society for many years. However, this is not true and that’s the reason we have embarked on this programme to ensure that the sport is upheld by youths even in the grassroots levels,” Muraguri said.
Karanja divulged that they are keen to identify young local talents and groom them "so that future international tournaments are not a preserve of the old-timers only".
The captain also noted that they are keen to enhance networking amongst young golfers for peer-to-peer mentorship in the sport and for building synergies in business.
“Golf is a sport of networking and there are many opportunities that the youth can benefit,” the captain said.
He at the same time called on parents to invest in golf for their children to instil discipline in them, keep them away from misdemeanours and anti-social vices, for fitness and as a way of creating useful networks for them.
“We are happy that parents are engaging their children in this sport. We have seen many schools start golf clubs and teams. We are planning a holiday tour for junior golfers and parents can bring their children,” he said.
Similar sentiments were made by the Club's head of other sports, Solomon Irungu, who noted that there are diverse sporting activities that the youths and junior golfers can engage in.
They include Scramble, pool, swimming, bowling and tennis.
He quipped that the Kenyan youth stand to benefit more, especially on networking, noting that they usually partner with corporates and entrepreneurs who can link them to the knowledge, resources and social capital required to succeed in business.
Meanwhile, Irungu reiterated that their ultimate goal is to promote golf sport among the youth and make Kenya a golf tourist destination.
“The country has well-developed golf courses, favourable weather conditions and hence our endeavour to promote this sport and place Kenya on the global map as a golfing and sports tourism destination,” Irungu said.
Louis Nderi was the tournament's overall winner with 40 points.
Jessy Ndegwa was the men's winner with 39 points while Gladys Muchemi won the ladies category with 40 points.
