Vipingo Ridge set to host Ladies European Tour season opener

24/01/2022

The hotly anticipated Magical Kenya Ladies Open is the Ladies European Tour (LET) season opener for 2022 is returning to Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi County, in February after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Preparations for the event are in top gear as organisers (U.COM Event) and Vipingo Ridge prepare to host the only women's professional golf competition in the East African region.

The tournament will be held from 10-13th February, 2022 at the Ridge’s 18-hole Baobab Course, the continent’s single PGA-accredited course.

First held at the end of 2019, the tournament features golfers from many different nationalities who battle it out for the prestigious title.

Speaking during the announcement of the event, Vipingo Ridge Chairman, Alastair Cavenagh, said that the government through the Sports Arts and Development Fund in conjunction with the Ministry of Sports had once again generously stepped up to support the event through provision of the prize fund for the event.

He commented: “We are delighted to announce that the Magical Kenya Ladies Open will be taking place this year after a two-year absence.

"We can confidently say that we are all set and ready for this tournament and excited to see it return after a Covid-enforced 2 year break. We look forward to welcoming the players, organisers, and spectators to experience the wonders that Vipingo Ridge has to offer."

U.COM Managing Director, Dirk Glittenberg, confirmed that a limited field of 96 players will be eligible to play the Magical Kenya Ladies Open 2022 with a prize money of €300,000 (Approximately KES 38.8 million).

In accordance with government regulations on the Covid-19 pandemic, the event shall be held in strict adherence to health and safety protocols.

He said: “The players really enjoy playing in Kenya and this is yet another great opportunity to promote Kenya as a golf destination to the world and also support Kenyan golf. The event will be produced for live TV coverage across four days with the world feed being distributed to 69
countries worldwide."

Ladies European Tour CEO, Alexandra Armas, thanked the Kenyan government and sponsors for working to ensure the return of the tournament.

She added: "The LET is delighted to kick off the 2022 season with the Magical Kenya Ladies Open. After a two-year absence due to the pandemic, we couldn’t be more excited to return to Vipingo Ridge, a superb venue, where we will enjoy the highest level of competition and get to know the new players on tour.