Rose Naliaka, the first female professional golfer in Kenya and owner of the Naliaka Golf Academy, follows the progress of her shot on February 19, 2019.
Legendary golfer Rose Naliaka continues to make waves in the golfing world just months shy of her 71st birthday.
Over the weekend, she claimed the gross title at the Nyali Golf and Country Club Chairman’s Prize in Mombasa, beating a field of 252 players with an impressive six-over-par 77.
She also emerged as the best lady with a score of 41 points and clinched the longest drive title in the Ladies section.
“I am not done yet. It’s love and commitment to the game that keeps me going,” said Naliaka, who now resides in Nyali, Mombasa, and occasionally in Germany with her husband, Peter Bach, who retired as a captain at Lufthansa Airlines.
“I am always calm and relaxed on the golf course, where I plan and play every shot and hole at a time, added Naliaka, who is Kenya’s first female professional golfer.
Naliaka attributes her success to focusing on her abilities and playing against the course rather than her competitors.
“The biggest mistake I made was stopping golf for nearly 20 years while I ran the Children’s Golf Programme. Now, I’m struggling with the short game, but I know it will come,” she added.
Discipline
After retiring from the BBC Media Monitoring Station in Karen, Nairobi, Naliaka established the Rose Naliaka Academy, now known as the Africa Golf Programme in 2007.
The academy teaches golf to the less fortunate girls from Kenyan slums and rural areas, mentoring and training them to be professionals. “Its my way of giving back,” she said of her foundation.
The academy has produced numerous talented lady golfers, including Sarah Khanyereri and Faith Ontune, who are currently in the USA on golf scholarships, and others like Naomi Wafula, Mercy Nyanchama, Ashley Awuor, and Agnes Nyakio, who have excelled in national and international events.
Naomi Wafula, based in Vipingo, Kilifi, made history two years ago by winning the Kiambu Open, part of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series. Reflecting on her impact, Naliaka emphasised the importance of discipline in golf.
“The most important part of playing decent golf is discipline, not greed to win,” she said.
Passion
Naliaka’s journey in golf began in 1980 while she was a primary school teacher in Kitale. Later, she joined the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in Kitale and moved to Nairobi, where her golfing career flourished.
She went on to win numerous national events, becoming the ladies’ national champion a record seven times. Regionally, she became the first foreign lady golfer to win the Uganda Ladies Open four times.
In 2002, she secured the individual title at the All Africa Golf Championship. She also held leadership roles in the sport, serving as vice-chairman and chairman of the Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) in 2003 and 2004 and as lady captain at Vet Lab Sports Club in 1985 and 1986.
After briefly turning professional and competing in South Africa and Europe, Naliaka returned to the amateur scene to focus on coaching young girls through her academy.
“I’m still passionate about the game, and it’s rewarding to see the next generation of lady golfers excel,” said Naliaka, who won the Hall of Fame accolade during the 2020 Sports Personality of the Year Awards (Soya) gala.
