Empowering Local Youth Through Golf at Vipingo Ridge
In this Blog series we follow the journey of new local golfers as Vipingo Ridge embarks on a new programme.
Junior Golf Clinic experience with Safaricom
February 2024
This month we saw 50 local children meet Professional lady golfers from across the globe at a special Junior Golf Clinic.
Held at the PGA Academy and supported by Safaricom, the event was a great success.
Launch of the new Junior Golf Clinic Program
March 2024
Inspired by the event at the Ladies European Tour (LET), the junior golfers and grassroots talent programmes are having an update, with the launch of a new programme for more local children to experience golf:
Each week, 12 pupils between the age of 8-12 years from a different schools will participate in the initial training rounds, held every Tuesday. These sessions focused on instilling the fundamentals of golf, covering essential aspects such as grip, stance, swing technique, long shots, and putting.
Sessions are led by US Kids qualified coach Naom Wafula, and when she is competing at away tournaments, Kenya Pro Golfer Promise Sila kindly donates his time to the training, held at the PGA Academy at the PGA Baobab Course, on the Driving Range, Bunker and Putting areas.
60 Children experience the Junior Golf Clinics in March
April 2024 Update
Vipingo Ridge is committed to nurturing young talent within the local community, providing opportunities for school children to learn and play golf.
Throughout the month of March, Vipingo Ridge welcomed 60 pupils from five nearby schools to its Junior Golf Clinic Program. The 5 schools include Future Hope School, Vipingo Central Primary School, Vipingo Primary School, Chodari Primary School and Gongoni Primary School.
The initiative has already shown promising results, with trainers identifying several children demonstrating natural talent and potential in the sport. Looking ahead, the objective is to assemble a top-performing team comprising the most promising talents from each school. These individuals will undergo further training and support, positioning them for future opportunities in golf.
Vipingo Ridge's commitment to youth development underscores its dedication to fostering local talent and creating pathways for success within the community. The clinics will aim to happen every Tuesday for around 12 months, until the experience of the students can be reviewed for the next stage of their development.
Talent Selection and Shortlisting
June 2025 Update
It has been over 12 months since the relaunched Junior Golf Clinics program was reformatted and reinvigorated. Almost every week children from the local selected schools join us at the PGA Academy to grow their golf skills or experience golf for the first time.
Following a careful selection process, eight children are now actively participating in the Junior Golf Program; four girls and four boys, with one girl and one boy selected from each of the participating local schools (Vipingo Central, Vipingo Primary, Chodari Primary and Gongoni Primary).
Sessions are held every Tuesday, focusing on foundational golf techniques.
The young golfers are progressing well, demonstrating natural talent, impressive swings, and a growing enthusiasm for the game. Their eagerness and dedication are evident, with each child looking forward to their weekly sessions.
Exciting new Girls Special Training Camp
August 2025 Update
Looking ahead, the four selected girls have an exciting opportunity to attend a special golf clinic organized by Girls Who Golf Nairobi—a community that empowers women and girls in golf and sports through mentorship, charity events, and networking. The clinic will be hosted at Vipingo Ridge during the Girls Who Golf Nairobi visit from October 17th to 21st (exact date to be confirmed).
We are also exploring the possibility of increasing training sessions to twice a week during the upcoming school holidays. This will allow the children to build their skills more rapidly and prepare to transition onto the golf course sooner.
This program continues to provide invaluable exposure and learning experiences beyond the classroom. With consistent support and training, we believe the children will not only develop solid golf foundations but may also unlock future opportunities, including potential sponsorships.
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