Following a dip in revenues by the Karen Country Club, the management has decided to open its doors to the public. The club is highly associated with wealthy individuals and registered members, however, that has changed now.
Kenyans have gone berserk with memes all over the internet of what their first experience in the elite club would be like.
Known for its well-tendered golf course and top-notch accommodation for highly acknowledged individuals worldwide, the country club has much more to offer.
The club’s grassroots were first laid in 1933 when Danish baroness Karen von Blixen-Finecke, decided to use part of her Ngong coffee plantation to develop an 18-hole golf course. The golf course was first to be established and completed by 1935, followed by the clubhouse which was also done by 1937.
Messrs Cobb and Archer were the architects and Lalji Vishram & Co. were the contractors of the clubhouse. In addition to the golf course, tennis courts were built. Karen’s road was between the clubhouse and the courts.
This forced the contractors to change their design, after one road user would frequently speed her Ford V8 past the area, posing a threat to staff and registered members.
Fast forward, over the years, Karen Country Club is known to have an accommodation range of Sh. 19,000 to Sh. 58,000 depending on whether it is a single-room, a double-room or a cottage. Karen Country Club is now worth over Sh. 200 million.
The clubhouse has six cottages, three apartment blocks holding four rooms each built of vintage materials with a rustic vibe and wooden ceilings infusing an element of warmth and freshness. The 18 houses are named after bird species.
“There are people who come here specifically for birdwatching,” Says Peter Olale, the Commercial manager at Karen Country Club. He adds that there are over 100 species of birds and indigenous trees, some of which are over 80 years old.
A majority of the international market tourists are Americans. The country club receives guests such as golf professionals, tennis stars, tourists and honeymooners.
The golf course in Karen Country Club is maintained according to the Professional Golf Association (PGA) standards. Playing a 9 and 18 hole golf game will cost you Sh. 2,500 and Sh. 5,000 respectively.
“The setting of our golf course is serene; with Ngong hills as a backdrop, a rich variety of trees, indigenous forests, flowering shrubs and fauna. The wetlands are a distinct environmental feature of our golf course and also home to thousands of birds and dik-diks,” states the Country Club.
Aside from golf courses, tennis courts and superior accommodation, the Country Club also offers Casual & formal dining outlets, Meeting & Conference rooms, Unique event hosting at the Country Club’s Wetlands and Mulwa Dam, a wellness spa, a swimming pool, state of the art gym, bowling green and squash courts.
Karen Country Club receives a majority of its funding through sponsorship, membership entrance fee and annual subscription fees.
Kenyans took to the media, undoubtedly noting how expensive meals were at the Country club. According to the Karen Country Club online menu, the cheapest meal available is soup at Sh. 250, and ice cream at Sh. 250. Access their clubhouse online menu by clicking this link.
Currently, the clubhouse is undergoing major refurbishments. The caddie quarters are being upgraded and a new laundry is being constructed.
The golf course is receiving extra water hazards and numerous trees are to be planted to allow future generations of golfers to enjoy the beauty of the environment.