Golf is often perceived as a sport for the affluent.
However, beneath this perception lies a growing community of passionate golfers aspiring to make a living from the game.
Despite Kenya’s rich golfing heritage, with over 42 courses spread across the country, the path to professionalism remains elusive for many.
Currently, fewer than 100 professional golfers exist in Kenya, largely because most players fund their own careers—a significant barrier to turning professional.
Talent isn’t the issue; the system lacks the necessary support, according to stakeholders.
The amateur and junior golf scene, however, is thriving.
The Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series, for instance, has seen remarkable growth over the past few years.
In 2024, the KAGC held 28 tournaments, with plans to expand to 31 in 2025.
Many elite amateurs, boasting handicaps of less than three, regularly post under-par scores and dominate these tournaments.
KAGC tournaments typically offer prize purses of about Sh500,000, with winners taking home more than Sh100,000 per event.
While amateurs benefit from events like the KAGC and numerous corporate-sponsored tournaments, professional golfers have limited opportunities, primarily through the Safari Tour and Mashariki Tour.
For many elite amateurs, turning professional feels more like a gamble than a victory.
The lack of consistent tournaments, insufficient sponsorship, and modest prize money make professional golf a difficult path.
Despite local challenges, Kenyan golfers have shown promise on the international stage.
Recently, Greg Snow won the 2024 Vodacom Tanzania Open at the Kilimanjaro Golf & Wildlife Estate with a score of 286, finishing two under par. Several Kenyans placed in the top ten, including Mike Kisia (fifth), Jastas Madoya, and Eric Ooko (tied for sixth).
Currently, Kenya has only one lady professional golfer; Bhavi Shah.
Rose Naliaka, the pioneer lady professional golfer, retired last year from the professional competition.
Naliaka, a former Dubai Ladies Open champion and winner of the 2002 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), remains a mentor to rising stars like Naomi Wafula and Mercy Nyanchama.
In 2024, Kenya’s ladies’ team, featuring Wafula, Nyanchama, and 14-year-old Bianca Ngecu secured third place at the AACT in Morocco.
Their collective score of +7 trailed host nation Morocco (-7 ) and South Africa (-5 ).
Ngecu’s standout performance earned her fourth place individually, signalling a bright future for Ken- ya’s female golfers.
Bhavi Shah and other stakeholders have called for more opportunities for women in professional golf.
“Young women are excelling on the amateur circuit, competing fiercely against men. They aspire to turn pro, but the lack of tournaments and financial backing makes it a daunting leap,” Bhavi said.
Taufiq Balala, a former captain of Nyali Golf and Country Club, emphasised the need for systemic reform.
“We’ve made great strides in junior golf, but many players leave the sport for jobs because golf can’t sustain them. Fixing the professional circuit is key to ensuring a smoother transition from junior to pro,” Balala said.
Balala is the father of Adel Balala, an elite amateur golfer who made it to play for the national team at only the age of 13.
Adel is also currently ranked fourth in the 2024 KAGC Series with 272 points after participating in only seven out of 27 events.
In the amateur circuit, corporate sponsorship has become a lifeline, with NCBA Bank playing a pivotal role in reshaping Kenya’s golfing landscape.
Since launching the NCBA Golf Series in 2021, the bank has invested millions into junior development, amateur competitions, and club events.
In 2024, the bank allocated Sh18 million to support golf with Sh6 million for the KAGC Series and Sh12 million for junior golf.
NCBA’s Group managing director, John Gachora, emphasised their long-term vision of supporting golf in Kenya and East Africa.
“We’ve touched every golf club in Kenya and extended to Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. For the first time, we’re seeing amateurs make a living from golf. Within 10 years, we want Kenyans on the PGA Tour,” he said.
Gachora acknowledged that elite amateurs, who are participating in the KAGC events are ready to turn pro.
One standout amateur is Michael Karanga, who leads the 2024 KAGC Series with 834.5 points from 17 tournaments having won nine of them.
Two weeks ago, Karanga won his ninth KAGC title in 2024 during the 2024 Uhuru Shield tournament at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club.
Karanga’s remarkable season includes victories in Kiambu Golf Open, Manchester Salver, Kenya Railways Invitational, Coronation Cup, Limuru Open, Coast Open Barry Cup, Karen Challenge, and the Malindi Open Vasco da Gama Cup.
Last year, he won 13 out of 17 tournaments. NCBA plans to invest in professional golf starting in 2025, creating more tournaments beyond the Safari Tour.
“In 2025, we’ll invest in professional golf. Our goal is to create more opportunities so that juniors, who are transitioning to professional can find a ready market. We also want more Kenyans to qualify for the Kenya Open and other major events,” Gachora said.
Golf Kenya Federation President, Philip Ochola, stressed the importance of partnerships to bridge the gap between amateur and professional golf. Ochola also called for professional tournaments with prize purses of at least US$30,000 (Sh3.9 million).
“To make golf a viable career, we need more professional tournaments, competitive prize money, and sponsorships,” he said.
He said it is time for Kenya's elite amateurs, who have been participating in the KAGC events in the past three years to now transition to professionals.
“Our best amateurs are ready to turn pro, but they need financial backing. Together, we can build a thriving professional circuit,” he said.
“It’s time for them to transition into professional golf and we can’t move without the support from NCBA and other supporters. So that is our prayer.”
Charles Gacheru, the managing director at IMG, said since 1991, the Kenya Open has distributed more than Sh1.6 billion in prize money.
However, he said Kenyan golfers have earned a mere 1.17 per cent of that sum.
In the 2024 Magical Kenya Open held at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi, the winner took home Sh53 million, while Kenyan players earned nothing.
“In 2024, the Kenya Open winner earned Sh53 million—more than all Kenyan players combined since 1991. It’s time to reset our approach because our players deserve a fair share,” Gacheru said.
He said this can only be achieved with many professional participating and winning in the event.
With the right investments and partnerships, Kenya’s golf ecosystem could finally enable its talented players to pursue professional careers and compete globally, he said.
