Last week, I delved into the history of Kenyan golf, following a most riveting interview with Duncan Ndegwa, one of Kenya’s pioneer African golfers. Following that article, I have received numerous responses for even more golf history. The history of Kenyan golf dates back to the colonial era, after all, golf was gifted to us by the early British settlers. During the early 1900s, every District Commissioner apparently constructed his own private golf course and thus was borne the majority of the nearly 40 courses across Kenya.
After Kenya got her independence, golf and golf courses were seen as colonial relics, and some African leaders went out of their way to ‘eradicate’ these courses. The courses in Muranga, Meru, Embu and parts of the North Eastern Province disappeared during this purge.
