By KPC Sports Reporter
Action at the just-concluded Magical Kenya Open extended well beyond the fairways, as Kenya leveraged the global tournament to showcase its broader tourism appeal to the international golf community.
In a strategic push to market the country’s diverse attractions, the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) hosted DP World Tour players and officials for a game drive at Nairobi National Park, offering a firsthand encounter with Kenya’s wildlife and natural beauty away from the pressures of competition at Karen Country Club.
American golfer Kyah Owusu, visiting Kenya for the first time, expressed admiration for the experience.
“I love the safaris, the people and the culture. Just driving around and seeing the areas has been truly incredible for me,” she said.
Owusu also admitted she had not previously associated Africa strongly with golf.
“When you think about Africa, I do not really correlate it with golf, but there is a big golf community here. It is truly amazing to see all the fans and spectators come out and support,” she added.
English golfer Brandon Robinson Thompson, making his second appearance at the Kenya Open, praised both the local support and the tournament’s position on the global calendar.
“MKO is definitely a tournament that I mark on the schedule at the beginning of the year. Kenya has extremely friendly people and is beautiful, especially here at the Nairobi National Park,” he remarked.
Fellow Englishman Dan Bradbury said the Karen Country Club course reminded him of his home venue in Wakefield and highlighted the unique setting of the event.
“I have had a great time in Kenya so far. Staying here on the edge of Nairobi and in the National Park is really cool,” Bradbury said, noting the rare opportunity to access wildlife so close to a major city.
For DP World Tour accreditation officer Kyle Fenn, who has attended the tournament for three consecutive years, Kenya’s hospitality stood out.
“The thing that comes to mind is how welcoming all the local people are, how happy they are to have people from all over the world, and how much they want to showcase the country,” Fenn observed.
Reflecting on his safari outings, he added, “We saw a lion the first time and are eager to see something else in the course of the game drive.”
The initiative aligns with KTB’s strategy of creating immersive destination experiences around major international sporting events, positioning Kenya as a leading sports tourism hub while driving international visitor numbers.
KTB Chief Executive Officer June Chepkemei said such engagements are central to converting athletes and officials into long-term tourism ambassadors.
“Leveraging events like the Magical Kenya Open allows us to create indelible memories for our international guests. These participants then become invaluable global ambassadors, sharing Kenya’s magic far and wide, driving tourism growth,” Chepkemei said.
The 2026 edition of the tournament concluded with South Africa’s Casey Jarvis securing his maiden DP World Tour title after winning by three shots on Sunday, capping a week that blended elite sport with destination marketing on the global stage.