The anticipation is palpable as the 2024 Magical Kenya Ladies Open prepares to kick off on Thursday at the picturesque Baobab Course at Vipingo. A total of 108 participants are expected to grace the pristine yet formidable par-73 PGA-accredited course.
The tournament’s first round is set to commence at 7:45 am, with the trio of Emily Penttila from Finland, Pia Babnik from Slovakia, and Georgina Blackman from England teeing off at the first hole. Simultaneously, Tiffany Chan from Hong Kong, Sara Kouskova from the Czech Republic, and Marta Sanz Barrio from Spain will start from the 10th hole.
Notably, 17-year-old amateur Chanelle Wangari will lead the Kenyan contingent, teeing off at 8:07 am from the tenth hole alongside Nataliya Guseva and Lisa Pettersson from Sweden.
Last year’s standout, Naomi Wafula, the sole Kenyan to have made the cut in the previous edition, will begin her round at 8:40 am alongside Kirsten Rudgeley from Australia and Madelene Stavnar from Norway.
Expressing her aspirations for the tournament, Naomi emphasized her aim to surpass her previous performance and secure a high finish after gaining valuable experience from European events.
In another exciting pairing, Johnnie Walker-sponsored Kenyan amateur Mercy Nyanchama will tee off at 9:02 am, accompanied by Sofie Kibsgaard Nielsen from Denmark and Samantha Bruce from the Philippines. This marks Mercy’s fourth appearance at the event, aiming to make the cut this time around.
Dubai-based Kenyan amateur golfer Kellie Wahito Gachaga and local favorite Jacquelyne Walter from Vipingo Ridge will commence their quests at 9:13 am and 1:16 pm, respectively. While Kellie makes her debut, Jacquelyne looks to capitalize on home advantage.
April Angurasaranee from Thailand, determined to improve on her previous performance, will start her round at 1:05 pm. Recalling fond memories of the event, she expressed her admiration for the course and its unique wildlife.
Other notable participants include Alice Hewson from England, Diksha Dagar, and rookie Shannon Tan from Singapore, each bringing their own aspirations and excitement to the prestigious tournament.
With the stage set and anticipation building, all eyes are on the players as they embark on their journey towards glory at the 2024 Magical Kenya Ladies Open.
