Golf in the wild: at Africa's sole PGA-certified course, animals wander freely across the lush fairways.

A golfer takes aim at a putt just six feet ahead, while behind him, a giraffe casually strolls by.

Golf has long had a connection with nature, from birdies and eagles to unexpected visitors like deer and alligators. But nowhere is this partnership more perfect than at Vipingo Ridge in Kenya.

Set across 2,500 acres on Kenya’s coast, Vipingo Ridge features Africa’s only PGA-accredited golf course, alongside diverse wildlife. Many of the animals here were rescued and are free to roam the course, which is adorned with native trees for their benefit.

‘It’s amazing to play golf surrounded by wildlife,’ said Saleem Haji, director of golf at Vipingo Ridge. ‘It’s not a zoo – the animals are here because they belong.’

Conservation efforts in action

According to Najib Balala, Kenya’s Minister of Wildlife and Tourism, Vipingo Ridge showcases how vast private lands can be transformed into sanctuaries or conservation areas for wildlife.

Balala hopes that animals like antelope and the endangered Grévy’s zebra, brought in from other parts of Africa, will find refuge among the fairways of the Baobab course.

For Alastair Cavenaugh, chairman of Vipingo Ridge, protecting wildlife requires proactive efforts. 'Our goal is to establish a breeding program that enhances animal populations and gene diversity, which, in collaboration with the Kenyan Wildlife Service (KWS), will allow us to reintroduce species to the wild, parks, or other sanctuaries like ours,' Cavenaugh shared.

'With the increasing human population, the conflict between humans and wildlife will only worsen. There’s a significant opportunity for the government to partner with developers and landowners who can dedicate their land to sanctuaries and conservation areas, providing more space for wildlife,' he added.

Golf Technology

At Vipingo Ridge, supporting the future of Kenyan golf is equally important, as the course serves as a training hub for some of the nation’s top young female players.

After a two-year break, the course hosted the Magical Kenya Ladies Open once again in February, an event on the Ladies European Tour, with Germany’s Esther Henseleit successfully defending her title.

Vipingo Ridge hopes to produce future champions from its on-site PGA Academy. Managed by a PGA professional, the academy features state-of-the-art equipment, offering personalized club fittings and swing analysis through a high-tech launch monitor. With four high-speed cameras tracking the club and ball, the monitor generates data that helps refine both technique and equipment.

'The advancements in golf technology over the last 15 years have been remarkable,' said Haji. 'Understanding how to generate maximum speed to hit the ball further has become crucial in today’s game.'

Adjacent to the academy, a club repair and assembly workshop offers nearly 200 different shafts, crafted from various materials and weights, giving players endless options to customize their golf clubs.

A new beginning

Haji believes that Vipingo Ridge's focus on nurturing the next generation of golfers reflects the growing popularity of the sport in Kenya. 'Golf is definitely gaining traction in the country,' he remarked. 'There’s a strong belief that we need to include more diverse players, especially starting with the younger generation.'

'Golf can no longer be seen as a sport only for the wealthy,' Haji continued. 'Kenya has aspirations to produce world-class champions, and that means breaking down barriers.'

'The more people you involve in the sport, the greater your chances of discovering a future champion,' he concluded.