Benson wins Barclays Kenya Open

England’s Seve Benson claimed the third Challenge Tour title of his career after he saw off Denmark’s Lasse Jensen in a play-off for the Barclays Kenya Open.
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Waiting game at Windsor

Windsor Golf and Country Club on the outskirts of Nairobi was my next visit. The first glimpse of the course from the clubhouse is impressive with a grand view of the 9th and 18th holes surrounded by water.

I wanted to get out on course immediately but the skies were filled with rainclouds and it was raining. I had to be patient. 4 hours went by and soon it got dark. I was driven back to my hotel, I arranged a 5.30am. pick up so that I could see the dawn break over the course. It was worth the wait...........

Dawn over 9th green and 18th green

Hotel rooms overlook the 9th and 18th greens

A family of Egyptian geese followed me onto the 8th green

2nd fairway

Lessons at Limuru

3rd Hole, Limuru Country Club

Professional James Ngige teaching youngsters

Schoolgirls in action

Schoolchildren run to collect range balls

Tigoni's local shops

I arrived at Limuru Country Club during the afternoon. Its quite an impressive layout really, 7000ft above sea level amongst the tea plantations at Tigoni. I was greeted by the resident Pro James Ngige who escorted me round the course prior to his weekly group lessons with some local schoolchildren. I was witnessing the efforts of the R and A with their global policy to encourage golf at 'roots' level for the future advancement of the game.

Verdant Vipingo

9th green at dawn

9th green looking towards Indian Ocean

The Baobab Course at Vipingo Ridge is certainly a spectacular one both visually and technically. Designed by David Jones, he has created a championship golf course with stunning views of the Indian Ocean to the east and a game conservation area to the west.

Mombasa bound

A pretty exciting project.......................... A commission to photograph courses on the Kenya coastline. My clients flew me to Nairobi from Heathrow and and then by internal transfer via Wilson Airport to Ukunda which is basically Mombasa South Coast.

Leisure Lodge's proximity to the Indian Ocean

Some inquisitive onlookers

                                       

15th hole at sunrise

My first project was Leisure Lodge Resort. I had been there before some 15 years earlier on vacation and was eager to see what changes if any had been made to the hotel and course. The sunrise let me down a little bit as the sun hid behind huge clouds. There were some interesting spectators early in the morning and I later flew in a small plane to get some aerials to show the proximity to the beach.