March 19, 2024

111Years Old Golf Course Positioned for Sports Tourism

A Sea view scene of the Mombasa Golf course at Mama Ngina Water front which is undergoing rehabilitation. (Photo/ By The COAST Photographer)

By The COAST Reporter

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

The Mombasa Iconic golf course under UNESCO list is undergoing a major refurbishment in order to attract both local and international golfers in abide to boost sport tourism in the Region.

The Course which was established in 1911, the 9-hole Mombasa golf course is one of the oldest golf courses in the country.

Located along the coastal line overlooking the Kilindini Channel connecting to the port of Mombasa, the 111 year-old golf course offers scenic views to golf lovers.

It is the only links course in Eastern and Central Africa. 

Its site which is situated along the iconic Sh450 million Mama Ngina Waterfront Park, 1997 was gazetted among the top 100 historical value sites by the National Museums of Kenya.

The course has been undergoing a number of redevelopment projects over the years with the latest being the installation of an irrigation system to water the grass.

The club chairman Ken Mwangi launched phase one of the Sh20 million project.

“We have been talking about the irrigation project for over the last 20 years, but today, we are happy we are actualizing it,” said Mwangi.

Mwangi said the project began in 2020 during the Covid 19 period by raising money from club members and other well-wishers.

Phase one, he said, was to install the irrigation system with the second phase which was a bit more technical involving the installation of a desalination plant to convert the sea water into fresh water to water the course.

“When I took over with my board, we agreed with members that it was now time for action, we had talked about this project for many years and it was time to actualize it,” he said.

“Phase one cost us in the region of Sh10 million spanning about a year. The second phase which is a bit technical will also take around another year to be done,” said Munyao.

Currently, the club is using rain water harvested in the 33 million liters capacity dam located within the course.

Mombasa Golf chairman Ken Mwangi (Left) Paul Munyao, the club vice chair (Second left) chatting with fellow golfers during the launch of the irrigation project.. (Photo/ By The COAST Photographer)

This Munyao said was still a challenge since it doesn’t rain regularly in Mombasa.

“With the desalination plant in place, we want to produce around 10,000 liters of water per hour so in a day say 60 to 90 thousand liters that will do for us” he said.

He added that with a greener golf course, they expect the number of tourists visiting the club to increase with time.

“We normally get tourists who come to our club house not just to dine, but also play golf and tour around, and with a scenic view, we hope to attract more activities and events like concerts,” Munyao said.

Present during the ceremony was the former chairmen currently IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati who left the position in 2002.

Chebukati also served in various positions such as captain, vice-captain, secretary and committee member of the club.

Chebukati pledged to continue supporting the club as he called on the current regime to be proactive in marketing the club as well as supporting other projects.

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