off the A104,
Sigona, Kiambu County
The Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined parkland.
Surroundings:
Woodland.
Designer:
Original 9-hole design by Mr Berkley-Matthews with later revisions by English architect Tom Simpson. Extended to 18 holes in the late 1960s.
-1.223413
36.662547
1.5 km N of Gitaru / 20 km NW of central Nairobi.
Sigona
Sigona Golf Club, home to a rather ordinary and unpretentious tree-lined parkland layout, was originally carved out of a wattle plantation in 1938. English expat Mr Berkley-Mathews took care of the design and construction, while renowned designer Tom Simpson made some later revisions.
Sitting near the Rift Valley at an altitude of 6,600 feet, Sigona receives more than average amounts of rainfall, allowing the course to remain lush and green year round. Course description, images and other details to follow.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance.
Caddies available.
Sigona Golf Club achieved some notoriety with the dawning of the Mau Mau Uprising (aka the Kenya Emergency or Mau Mau Revolt, 1952-60). Club founder, Jack Berkley-Matthews was shot dead by Mau Mau rebels in the Clubhouse in 1954. He was one of 32 Europeans killed by Mau Mau fighters during the rebellion.
In the early 1960s, after having been refused admission to other golf clubs in the area, the Japanese Ambassador to Kenya joined Sigona. This provided an impetus for other Japanese expats to join, and explains the good-size Japanese membership Sigona enjoys today.
Presidents Cup: Geoff Ogilvy’s International Team take on Brandt Snedeker’s USA Team at the revered Medinah Country Club, near Chicago. The Internationals are trying to halt a run of 11 consecutive American wins. (Sept 24-27).
French Open: Continental Europe’s oldest national championship, dating from 1906, is once again staged on the Albatros Course at Le Golf National, near Paris. Defending champion is America’s Michael Kim. (Sept 24-27).
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
You can subscribe to the Where2Golf channel on YT if you like to see more video content. You'll find a "Subscribe" button on any of our YouTube videos. Or if you want a quick and direct access subscribe here. Once done, any new published videos will show up in your Subscriptions feed.
