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Thursday, April 30, 2015

Be a golf tourist across country this long Labour Day weekend

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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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