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A cat watches golfers during the Nyali Open Golf tournament at the Nyali Golf and Country Club. PHOTO | GIDEON MAUNDU
By CHARLES GACHERU
This long Labour Day weekend offers golfers an
excellent opportunity to play more. And with international tourism
slowing down, it is time the golfing fraternity stepped in and toured
various parts of the country, playing golf and appreciating the scenery.
Let me suggest some great golf getaways. Let me start with
resorts: Vipingo Ridge is home to Kenya’s best golf course, the Boabab
Course and the resort comes complete with options for accommodation.
Golfers can also stay in the North Coast and take the short drive to
Vipingo.
While there, you can also play another world-class
golf course at the Nyali Golf and Country Club and for good measure you
can squeeze in nine holes at Kenya’s only links course, the Mombasa
Club, also known as the Front Course.
I am not a great fan of the layout at Mombasa Golf
Club but the views across the Likoni Channel are breathtaking and
playing a par-3 across an ocean creek is priceless.
The opportunity to hook your ball off the 6th tee
box and into the Florida Night Club is a bonus. In the South Coast, the
Leisure Golf Club offers a true test of golf. This 18-hole layout in
Kwale has hosted many international championships including the Africa
Amateur Golf Championship; the Leisure course is a short drive from over
10 hotels on that Diani beach strip.
Across in Naivasha, the Great Rift Valley Golf
Resort is as good as they come. I have said it before that this golf
resort can host any international event; it is exceptional with some
truly great views of Lake Naivasha and cottages, villas and hotel.
Playing golf at Great Rift is a unique experience,
the course has water features and wildlife. Further north, golfers can
create safaris of their own. From a base in Nakuru, you can enjoy the
18-hole layout at the Nakuru Golf Club. This golf course is set on the
slopes of the Menengai Crater and from its elevated vantage point, it
offers views of Nakuru town and Lake Nakuru.
On a good day, a sea of pink is visible on the lake
on account of the flamingos. The Njoro Country Club, a short drive out
of town, offers an interesting 9-hole golf course. The Njoro course may
not meet international standards, but it is a great golfing experience
for weekend golfers.
In the North Rift, you are truly spoilt for choice
as a golf tourist. From a base in Eldoret, golfers can play the two
9-hole golf courses at Nandi Bears and Eldoret Club and the 18-hole
course in Kitale.
All three golf courses are worth every penny you
will pay in green fees. Nandi Bears is famous for its slopes, not a
single fairway is flat, each golf shot is played with the ball above or
below your feet.
The Eldoret course has the River Sossion meandering
through several holes, offering spice to your round and the Kitale
course is a sight to behold. The tall trees that line the fairways give
this golf course a unique character, you must play this golf course to
experience its majesty.
By the way the drive to Kericho is worth it, the
9-hole layout there has amazing views of the tea plantations around. The
9-hole layout at the Nyanza Club is as tight as the Railways Golf Club
and the lies there will challenge your iron play. Views of Lake Victoria
and the sounds of hippos should prevent you from shanking too much.
If you fancy a trip around Mt Kenya, then you can play at Nanyuki, Nyahururu, Nyeri and Machakos.
So, take your pick, plan your route, back a bag, some rain gear and be a golf tourist this weekend.
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