Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) has unveiled a Player Development Program in a bid to connect Kenyan pros to world ranking golfing events and qualify for Olympics 2028.

The initiative will accord Kenyan professional golfers the support, exposure, and consistent playing opportunities they require to succeed locally, continentally, as well as globally.

PGK launched the “Road to Olympics 2028” program alongside the Equator Tour that will run 11 events across the country to enable all the local pros to get sufficient play time.

The ambitious corporate-backed initiative, which was launched at Nairobi’s Railways Golf Club, aims to nurture local talent and create a path for Kenyan players to compete globally.

PGK Chairman John Wangai lauded the corporate sponsors of the initiative even as he challenged local pros to work on improving their world rankings to qualify for Olympics.

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Wangai explained that the top 15 players globally in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) will qualify to play in the Olympics with each country getting a limit of four players.


Away from the top 15, extra slots are filled according to the OWGR, with each country getting two players maximum, as long as they do not have two or more in the top 15.

“Corporates have come in together and put in money for the Pros of Kenya, whereby they will be able to go through an intensive Player Development Program that will involve fitness, club fitting, and swing simulator,” stated Wangai.

The PGK boss said the team was pushing to have the programme, which will run for three years, included in tournaments organized in Kenya that attract OWGR points for the players.

Team NCBA; Njuguna Ngugi, Eric Ooko, Abraham galgalo and Edwin Mudanyi. PHOTO/MAC OTANI 

“We stand together with the vision of creating more jobs through monetizing talent and seeing our Kenyan flag raised high on global golfing stages, including in the Olympics,” intimated NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora.

Each corporate sponsor adopted a four-ball which it will provide gym, simulators, mental coaches, nutritionist, and stipend for for the entire three-year duration of the programme.

“Our goal is to create a sustainable pathway for professional golfers in Kenya, one that inspires, empowers and transforms lives through sport,” said Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa.

PGK has partnered with NCBA, Safaricom, Visa, Britam, Kenya Airways, Nation Media Group, Standard Media Group, and Diageo for the Player Development Program and Equator Tour.

TeamSafaricom. PHOTO/COURTESY

“Our belief is that our players deserve a place on the world stage,” intimated PGK CEO Robert Muthomi, while noting the program will also help identify, nurture and train Kenyan golf players from amateur to pro status.

A draw ran by PGK at the launch saw the top 32 pros golfers selected to represent each of the eight corporate sponsors as they set their eyes on 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles:

1. NCBA - (Edwin Mudanyi, Erick Ooko, Abraham Galgallo, Njuguna Ngugi)

2. Safaricom - (Samuel Njoroge, Mutahi Kibugu, Mohit Medirrata, Mathew Wahome.)

3. Britam - (Simon Ngige, Hesbon Kutwa, Simon Njogu, Kopan Timbe)

4. Diageo - (David Wakhu, CJ Wangai, Nelson Mudanyi, Nelson Simwa.)

5. Visa - (Mike Kisia, Jeff Kubwa, Sujan Shah, Daniel Nduva.)

6. Kenya Airways - (Dismas Indiza, Jacob Okello, Justas Madoya, Joseph.W.Karanja)

7. Standard Media - (Greg Snow, Robinson Owiti, Tony Omuli, Sullivan Muthugia)

8. Nation Media - (Njoroge Kibugu, Alfred Nandwa, Dennis Saikwa, Isaiah Otuke)