Sports Tourism goes viral: Kilifi Uganda Open
The 3rd edition of the Kilifi-Uganda golf tournament concluded last Saturday, October 25, at the Vipingo Ridge PGA Baobab Course with a major victory for the visiting side. The Ugandan team clinched the overall team title, securing bragging rights in this fiercely competitive event that highlights the growing sports and tourism ties under the Uganda-Kenya Coast collaboration.
Kilifi Uganda Open: East Africa Sports Tourism collaboration
Sports Tourism is high on the agenda for Magical Kenya and the tourism stakeholders. Vipingo Ridge is part of the products that Kenya, and Kilifi have to offer and the Kilifi Uganda Open marks a great regional example of East African sports communities enjoyng they game they love and engaging with tourism.
Read more about the launch and working group of the golf marketing focus from the Kenya Tourism Board and golf stakeholders:
Kilifi Uganda Open Trending in Uganda on X
The Uganda-Kenya Coast tourism collaboration theme in 2025 is a timely topic and one that was fully brought to life by the Kilifi Uganda Open. The theme for 2025 is ‘Leveraging Youth, Innovation and Technology for Responsive and Inclusive Tourism’.
Through a cohesive and coordinated approach the event was able to go viral in Uganda, as a trending topic on X as well as gain big traction in Kenya through partners at the event playing their part and promoting the spectacle.
These youth-led uses of technology and influence through highly engaged social media followings were brought to life by the Uganda Consulate of Mombasa including these travel influencers in their list of delegates representing from Uganda, a notable tactical move to truly give exposure to the youth, as well as through local Kenyan influencers.
Influencers from Uganda: amplifying the experience
The delegation from Uganda included over 100 travel agents and influencers, who are very active on X. Those guests staying at Vipingo Ridge and visiting for the competition were able to capture the excitement of the day and we were even a trending topic on X in Uganda.
Creating compelling content: Hole in one prize from Khushi Motors
Partners for the event, Khushi Motors were a great example of creating engaging content from their very active community. Offering a hole in one for hole number 17, the amazing prize was showcased at the tee box, but their activation did not stop there.
From filming the convoy of the road trip from their dealership in Mombasa to Vipingo Ridge, to interviewing and hyping the golfers at the tee box, the Khushi Motors team maximised the opportunity online:
Akothee: a Kenyan Uganda Brand Ambassador
Media personality and celebrity Akothee is the Ambassador for Uganda Tourism, and was at the Kilifi Uganda Open to raise the profile of the event. She met with the golfers and shared content to her audience of over 10,000,000 followers on her social media platforms.
Great golfing performances
Despite the Kenya team not winning, and the hole in one car not being won Kenyan players shone in the individual categories, showcasing the competitive standard of the event with 112 players joining the field.
Simon Maina was crowned the Overall Champion with a stellar performance, carding 43 points. He led a strong field of winners, which included Jabess Odour as the Men’s Winner (41 points) and Eva Kariuki as the Ladies Winner (38 points). The tournament also celebrated powerful drives, with Tom Chirchir winning the Longest Drive (Men) and Prisca Jebet taking the honour for the Ladies.
Prize Giving Celebrates Unity on the Ocean Shore
The day’s festivities culminated in a spectacular, ocean-view prize-giving ceremony at the stunning Vipingo Ridge Beach Club, where guests experienced the beauty and serenity of the Indian Ocean.
The importance of the event was highlighted by the presence of key dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Kilifi County, Hon. Flora Mbetsa, the Ambassador and Consulate General of Uganda in Mombasa, H.E. Paul Mukumbya, and high-profile businesswoman Akothee.
All speakers strongly emphasized the mutual desire for continued and deepened collaboration between the two East African nations.
Partnerships promote success
As well as Governmental collaboration this event is a testment to private sector engagement in sports tourism.
The success of this year’s edition was made possible by the robust commitment of its corporate partners. The event was proudly sponsored by leading organizations invested in East African development and sports, including Mombasa Cement, Isuzu Kenya, Taita Gems, ABSA, Khushi Motors, ICEA LION Group, and Uganda Airlines, the latter of which provided vital flight support to ensure the Ugandan team’s presence.
A Standing Invitation to the EAC
Your Next Challenge Awaits! The spectacular success of this 3rd edition serves as a compelling invitation to golfers across the entire East African community (Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and beyond) to experience the challenge and luxury of Vipingo Ridge. You’ve seen the rivalry, now experience the course that hosts it.
Vipingo Ridge offers an unforgettable blend of championship golf and coastal luxury that must be on every serious East African golfer’s bucket list. Imagine tackling challenging fairways with the Indian Ocean breeze at your back and rewarding your efforts at the Beach Club. Don’t just watch the competition; come and be the competition!
Plan your return or your inaugural golf tour to the Kenyan Coast. Come and experience a lifestyle destination celebrating Kenya.
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