-As Memories of two Giraffes majestically escorting the Leading Golfers to the last holes remains forever unforgettable;
DOUGLAS MWALE-IMG KENYA LIMITED AND MAARUFU MOHAMEED-GOLFNEWSLINKS;
Over the past week, more than 100 talented female golfers from across the globe converged at PGA rated Vipingo Baobab Ridge Golf Course in Kenya’s Kilifi County for the highly anticipated 2024 Magical Kenya Ladies Open.
This event stands as the sole Ladies European Tour (LET)-sanctioned Women’s Professional Golf competition in the East and Central African region.
Last Sunday on February 11th, the tournament concluded with 19-year-old debutant Shannon Tan from Singapore emerging as the victor.
Teenager Tan wrote her name into the history books and was presented with a Giraffe shaped winners’ trophy on her first Ladies European Tour (LET) start as a professional and becomes the fourth winner after the two times German Esther Henseleit and last year’s winner Adit Ashoki from India.
Having begun the day sharing the lead with Alessandra Fanali, Tan rolled in five birdies to pull away from the Italian and finish victorious at 12-under for a 280 gross overall, making her the first Singaporean to ever win on the LET.
The Texas Tech University alumni turned professional in January after becoming the first golfer from her Country to earn a full LET card the previous month and having won the Singapore Ladies Masters an event on the China LPGA Tour –as an amateur in July.
Tan, ranked 434th in the World ahead of the tournament season opening event Sunday said that it was a tough decision to begin with to turn professional but was glad she made it now.
“It’s a good thing because juniors back home know it’s possible and that anything is possible, and it can push them a little bit and inspire them. I will go into every event with the same mindset and target and just trying to do my best and just control the controllable. I can’t control what other people do, but just what I can do. I will just try to stick to my game plan throughout the season, “said Tan.
Beyond the thrilling golfing action, Vipingo Ridge provided a stunning backdrop for a variety of captivating activities where Golfers and spectators were treated to the enchanting sight of zebras and Giraffes leisurely roaming across the manicured lawns, adding a unique and wild element to the ambiance.
Two giraffes took a leisurely stroll onto the 18th fairway during the final round at Vipingo Ridge’s Baobab course, which is nestled within a wildlife sanctuary where a range of African species from monkeys to zebra and antelope are free to roam.
Many of the wildlife are rescue animals, including Sunday’s two wandering giraffes and one of the duo is named Valentine after being saved from drought as a baby orphan in Samburu, northern Kenya, on Valentine’s Day in 2021.
Vipingo Ridge Chairman Alastair Cavenaugh said Staff also hope that its resident animals following the implementation of a breeding program can eventually be reintroduced into the wild or other sanctuaries and conservation areas.
“With the way the population is expanding, human-wildlife conflict is only going to go one way and get worse. So I think there’s a lot of opportunity and scope for the government to partner developers and land owners who have land that they can commit to sanctuaries and conservation areas to create space for wildlife, “said Cavenaugh.
Vipingo Ridge isn’t merely a golf destination but a harmonious fusion of Sport and nature, where the excitement of competition converges with the untamed beauty of the animal kingdom.
This sanctuary blurs the lines between Golfers and wildlife, offering an unforgettable experience that Transcends the traditional boundaries of the game.
Entertainment was also a highlight, with the sponsored entertainment village by EABL through the Johnnie Walker brand and each day brought a jubilant atmosphere, with the vibrant grounds coming alive with food, music, and entertainment as the sun set.
Capital FM’s top DJs took center stage in the evenings, courtesy of Johnnie Walker, providing an electrifying symphony that reverberated throughout the venue.
The festivities kicked-off with the Cut Party on Friday, featuring renowned DJs Andy Capp and DJ Leo, Saturday saw DJ Schwaz and DJ Stretch taking over the decks, followed by DJ UV and DJ Adrian closing out the weekend on Sunday.
The event also attracted various high-end personalities, including the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, Kilifi County Governor Gideon Mungaro, former Mombasa County Governor Hassan Joho, among others.
The site of Africa’s only PGA-accredited course, the 2,500 acre Vipingo Ridge site is home to a PGA academy built with the dream of developing a future Kenyan champion.
After the Magical Kenya Ladies Open follows the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF in Saudi Arabia and the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco.
Next up for the Tour is a trip to Florida for the first Aramco Team Series presented by PIF event of the year.
After a couple of weeks off, the Tour heads Down Under for the Australian swing which is followed by the South African swing.
The Aramco Team Series presented by PIF-Seoul is the first event to kick off the summer before the Tour heads back to Europe with the Amundi German Masters, Jabra Ladies Open and then two weeks in Helsingborg in Sweden.
Next up are mainstays of the calendar with the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open, VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open and the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF-London.
The Amundi Evian Championship takes place in July this year and is followed by the Dutch Ladies Open, powered by Golf.NL.
After a few weeks respite, the world’s eyes will be on the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games as 60 women compete in the Women’s Golf Competition in early August.
The Women’s Scottish Open, AIG Women’s Open and KPMG Women’s Irish Open follow that closely before the 2024 Solheim Cup takes place in Virginia.
A trip to Spain is next for the La Sella Open and then the Lacoste Ladies Open de France before the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF-Asia.
As the season heads into the final weeks of the year, the calendar will see the Hero Women’s Indian Open and Aramco Team Series presented by Riyadh before the year rounds off with the Mallorca Ladies Golf Open and Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España.
ENDS;
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