This archive report was first published on 22 November 2019.
Kenya is set to host its first-ever Ladies European Tour (LET) event, the Magical Kenya Ladies Open, at the PGA Baobab Course in Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort, Kilifi County, from December 5 to 8.
The tournament, which has attracted the sponsorship of Magical Kenya and Safaricom's Mpesa, will have a total prize fund of over Sh33 million, with the overall winner taking home Sh5 million.
According to event promoter U.COM's Dirk Glittenberg, the prize purse is globally competitive, making it an attractive option for professional golfers.
"This is the first time a Ladies European Tour event is being held in Kenya, and we are delighted that we have received the necessary support to enable us to host this event and offer a globally acceptable and attractive prize purse," Glittenberg said.
He added that professional golfers choose which tournaments to play in based on various factors, including course condition, hospitality, convenience, and the overall experience expected, with the prize purse playing a significant part in their decision-making process.
Among the biggest events in terms of prize money in the Tour is the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open in Abu Dhabi, which offers US$300,000, and the Jordan Mixed Open, which offers US$393,000.
"There are 17 events on the Ladies European Tour calendar, excluding the Majors, eight of those offer a smaller prize purse than the Magical Kenya Ladies Open, four offer more, and another four offer the same prize fund of Euros300,000," Glittenberg added.
The Magical Kenya Ladies Open will offer an opportunity for local amateurs to play with the world's best ladies professional golfers during the Pro-Am, which will take place on December 4.
