Safaricom on Saturday launched a national golf series christened the Safaricom Golf Tour seeking to tap, nurture and grow talent among young golfers across Kenya.

The 14-leg amateur series will culminate with the grand finale at Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort in August, where winners from each event will converge to determine the overall champions.

Safaricom says, as part of its initiative of supporting the youth in sports, the series will include junior competitions, youth clinics and golf outreach programmes conducted across the country.

Safaricom Brand Ambassadors Aisha Ekhrana, Leah Nyambura,Phoebe Kawiria and Cynthia Gachina. PHOTO/SAFARICOM

The clinics will be run in partnership with Junior Golf Foundation and Kenya Golf Union and the tour will also feature a caddies’ tournament in partnership with the Kenya National Caddies Association.

“Sports sponsorship remains an important area for us because of its role in transforming the lives of Kenyans, especially the youth. Our goal with the Safaricom Golf Tour is to provide a platform that seeks to demystify the game, which has long been seen as a sport for the elite and position it as one that is accessible for all. The young golfers we nurture and develop have an opportunity to become the next generation of pros in future and earn from their passion”, Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom, said at Golf Park in Nairobi.

Peter Ndegwa. PHOTO/COURTESY

The telcos will cough Sh100 million for the inaugural edition of the tour, which will be played in various golf clubs across Kenya starting with Nanyuki Sports Club on January 29 and 30.

David Wakhu, Belinda Macharia, Eden Gashora, Peter Ndegwa and PS Joe Okudo. PHOTO/SAFARICOM

In October last year, Safaricom and other corporates signed a deal with Junior Golf Foundation to support them with the training of coaches, local golf tours and nationwide golf development.