There is no specialised golf construction
Dig It?
Sigona and others are all delightful and colourful, if a little old fashioned.
The Kenya Open is one of the oldest major golf tournament in Africa having been successfully run since 1967. Many of the World’s top players have competed in Kenya and the winner’s list is a veritable who’s who of pro golf over the years.
What were the reasons for choosing this site for the Golf Course?
It’s a fantastic site scenically, with amazing uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean and the African interior. It is in a popular international holiday and safari destination, and is a large residential area too, with an ethnically mixed local community. There is also a strong local market for other Kenya residents to own a coastal home.
The main reason was to provide Kenya with a world class golf and property ownership opportunity, the sort of thing which is found in South Africa, Dubai and Southern Europe but, until now, not in East Africa. It will also be one of the only places where golfers can enjoy affordable caddy-based golf, instead of
the more common resort golf cart experience.
Is it close to towns, cities and businesses?
It’s about 40km from Mombasa, East Africa’s main port, and with an international airport with good connections to many European cities.
Are you looking to attract businessmen?
Yes, there is a vibrant Kenyan middle class and business community. They have been amongst the property investors, and constitute a large proportion of the keen golfers and golf members in Kenya.
What is the projected membership - is it dependant on property sales or will there be an option to play the course on a fee basis to locals?
There are two courses. The one presently being completed is The Baobab. You have to be a property owner to be a member, but it is open for play to everyone on a green fee paying basis. The second course will be The Palm, and the membership conditions there will be different with memberships available to non property owners.
machinery available in Kenya, so all the major pieces of equipment were
sourced from abroad and imported
Is the course built to PGA/Tournament standard?
Yes, the greens and tees are full USGA spec and the course, generally, is built to the highest specifications available. It is over 7200 yards from the championship tees, but with five or sometimes six different sets of tees, it is playable by anyone.
Construction
Was specialist machinery brought in to aid with construction?
Yes, in fact there is no specialised golf construction machinery available in Kenya, so all the major pieces of equipment were sourced from abroad and imported. Bulldozer, tipper lorries, Bobcats, road rollers, greenkeeping machinery etc.
Dan Kain, a professional golf course shaper from Point Blank, Texas was engaged to construct all the features in the design. Michael Meinhold, a professional greenkeeper from Germany, was appointed as Head Greenkeeper to produce the huge turf nursery required for all cultivation, and to keep and
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