• "I am thinking out of the box. The essence, for now, is to prepare to go outside the country and rub shoulders with elite professionals in the PGA and DP Tour events," said Wakhu.
• Currently, Wakhu ranks among the top ten pro golfers in the county. In August 2018, Wakhu rallied from a four-stroke deficit at the
Image: HANDOUT
BY SAMSON ATEKA
Having already taken some impressive scalps on the local arena, Kenya’s leading pro golfer David Wakhu is looking to spread his net wider.
And after a short stint in Sunshine Tours, Wakhu hopes to make a foray into the prestigious PGA Tour and the DP Tour (formerly European Tour) which the Magical Kenya Open is part of.
Wakhu reckons that the Safaricom Junior Golf Series has given him an opportunity to further his career to a higher level as a playing and training pro.
“I am thinking out of the box. The essence, for now, is to prepare to go outside the country and rub shoulders with elite professionals in the PGA and DP Tour events. This will draw the attention of Kenyan kids that they have to surpass our level to become champions of the future and give Kenya the much-needed Olympic status,” said Wakhu.
Wakhu, who is one of the Safaricom Junior Golf clinic training pros, said the series is an eye-opener for players aspiring to make it big in the future.
“The Safaricom series has been a journey that’s very productive as many of the juniors have really benefited from this noble initiative. I would say it’s been very interesting,” Wakhu said.
“There has not been any challenge whatsoever because, as juniors, you only need to put much interest in them and give them your attention and make them realise that this sport is not only a pastime but a game that can actually sharpen your skills for your future.”
Wakhu adds that as a nation, there is so much that the kids have gained in terms of learning the basics of the game “and also experience in a competitive atmosphere that’s going to hold their future way higher and give them hope in life.”
“During our time, we never savoured such opportunities. I will actually say that it’s an initiative that will open up the mighty windows of opportunities to bring up new champions in the near future, because in Kenya golf-wise, we have got talent but no proper plan in place. Safaricom has set the structures, it’s an eye opener for the kids,” he added.
Currently, Wakhu ranks among the top ten pro golfers in the county. In August 2018, Wakhu rallied from a four-stroke deficit at the
penultimate stage to win the opening round of the then new Safari Tour at the Par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club.
Last year, Golf Park’s Wakhu claimed the 2021/22 Safari Tour Golf Series third leg title at the par 71 Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort in Naivasha after he fired a four-round total of 1 over par 285.
During the inaugural 2021 Kenya Savannah Classic (part of the European Tour), Wakhu was the only Kenyan to make the cut and tied for 57 with a prize purse of €3,510.45 and a score of 66, 68, 74 and 69 for a gross total of 7 under par 277.