Magical Kenya Open golfers thrilled after experiencing Kenya’s wildlife and hospitality
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Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 23.02.26. | 15:03
The tournament concluded with South Africa’s Casey Jarvis winning by three shots on Sunday, securing his maiden DP World Tour title
Action from the just-concluded Magical Kenya Open (MKO) extended well beyond the fairways, as Kenya leveraged the tournament to showcase its broader tourism appeal to the global golf community.
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In a strategic move to promote the country’s diverse attractions, the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) hosted DP World Tour players and officials on a game drive at Nairobi National Park, giving them a first-hand experience of Kenya's unique wildlife and natural beauty, away from the intensity of the golf greens.
American golfer Kyah Owusu, visiting Kenya for the first time, expressed her admiration. “I love the safaris, the people, and the culture. Just driving around and seeing the areas has been truly incredible for me,” Owusu said.
She also noted her surprise at Kenya’s vibrant golf scene. “When you think about Africa, I do not really correlate it with golf, but there is a big golf community here. It is amazing to see all the fans and spectators come out and support.”
English golfer Brandon Robinson Thompson, making his second appearance at the Kenya Open, praised the exceptional community support and the tournament’s strategic positioning.
“MKO is definitely a tournament I mark on my schedule at the beginning of the year. Kenya has extremely friendly people and is beautiful, especially here at Nairobi National Park,” Thompson remarked.
Fellow Englishman Dan Bradbury found the Karen Country Club course reminiscent of his home venue in Wakefield and appreciated the unique setting.
“I have had a great time in Kenya so far. Staying here on the edge of Nairobi and within the National Park is really cool,” Bradbury commented, highlighting the easy access to wildlife.
Kyle Fenn, an Accreditation Officer for the DP World Tour who has attended MKO for three years, lauded the local hospitality.
“What stands out is how welcoming all the local people are, how happy they are to host guests from all over the world, and how much they want to showcase the country,” Fenn observed.
Recounting his safari experience, he added, “We saw a lion the first time and are eager to see more during the course of the game drive.”
The excursion aligns with KTB’s strategy of creating immersive experiences for players and officials at hosted events, with the aim of boosting international visitor numbers and positioning Kenya as a leader in sports tourism.
KTB CEO June Chepkemei emphasised the significance of such initiatives. “Leveraging events like the Magical Kenya Open allows us to create indelible memories for our international guests.
These participants then become invaluable global ambassadors, sharing Kenya's magic far and wide and driving tourism growth,” Chepkemei said.
The tournament concluded with South Africa’s Casey Jarvis winning by three shots on Sunday, securing his maiden DP World Tour title.
