Madam Sarah Ainley was only 27 years old when she made her first interaction with Golf. She would only chauffer her late husband – Mr. David Ainley to and from the Nakuru Golf Club, with no interest at all in the sport.
Mr. David Ainley was a veteran Golfer, and the then Chairman of NGC in 1976. He was also the former Captain in 1974 and a bookkeeper throughout his time. Over time, David and the then former lady captain – Celia Perdeson, influenced Sarah to join them at the golf course. As the only African budding golfer at the time, Mrs. Ainley caved in to try out the sport following constant nudges, and since her first day at the greens, she has never looked back!
She not only became passionate about golfing, but also became a Lady Captain herself from 1979 to 1987.
Sarah Ainley has made a name for herself not only in Nakuru, but across the regions through golf. In 1981, she was part of the Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) team that represented Kenya in Zambia and Zimbabwe for the Gilbertson and Page tournament.
Back home, Sarah won the Daily Nation Festival final at the Muthaiga Golf Club in 1999 and Kenya Ladies Amateur Stroke Play Championships in 1983 in sudden death between her and Kamud Desai (both Kenya Team golfers) not to forget the Nakuru Ladies Open.
Fondly remembered is the Nakuru Open Mixed Foursome in 1983 where partnering with her husband, Sarah was then seven months pregnant with her last born – Margaret Ainley. She played her best golf that year by crowing it with the Golfer of the year.
Her most memorable moment was when her brother Mike was shocked to hear she had gone for sudden death saying ‘no she can’t be dead for she was not sick’! He relaxed after seeing them both at 7:45pm while it was still slightly dark on the 13th hole par 3 three. Nevertheless she won by par as Kamud got one over par.
Over 40-decades later, Sarah has born a generation of historic golf champions. To date, she still enjoys playing golf (occasionally) and is optimistic of the future for the next generation. Madam Sarah was appointed the Junior Convener at Nakuru Golf Club, a befitting role she accepted in September of 2023.
“Together with the junior golf committee, I purpose to nurture junior golfers in Nakuru and promote these kids to become the next generation of Kenya’s elite players.”
Sarah Ainley.
Golf awards by Sarah Ainley:
Margaret and Josephine Ainley Journey with Golfing
Margaret Ainley – the youngest of Sarah’s children, is the only one whose love for golf grew from supporting her family in the sport.
Since the tender age of 11, Maggie had already decided on a different sporting path to those of her siblings; (swimming), which saw her represent Kenya at the African Swimming Challenge held in South Africa in 1996.
She has also competitively participated in the Telkom Africa Development Swimming Challenge in Newcastle.
While golf may not have been her sport of choice, Maggie was never one to miss the opportunity to accompany her siblings. Often piling her books on the verandah tables at the Nakuru Golf Club, she eagerly cheered on her sister and brother as they made their walk down hole No. 18 and enjoyed watching them practice on the green thereafter.
Today, this tradition continues as she more recently, joined her mother at the late Leah Mburu’s Memorial tournament held in Karen. Maggie partnered with Leah’s daughter – Dr. Ann, both playing golf for the 1st time in a Ladies Competition which they enjoyed immensely.
For Maggie, it is the deep sense of community and comradery that keeps her coming back to the game. Her recent purchase of a set of golf clubs tells us that we will be seeing much more of the youngest Ainley on the course, much to the delight of her family.
Her middle child – Josephine Ainely, through Sarah’s influence and her dad carrying her on the back to finish her fourth handicap card to get a KLGU handicap became a golfer herself and has triumphed in several tournaments such as the All African Challenge Trophy Ladies Golf and has featured in top Golf publications.
US-based Josephine Ainley – the second born in the family is no amateur in golf; she has bagged awards such as the Women’s Golf Academic Award for outstanding athletic achievement that was presented to her in May of 2005 and April 2003 respectively from the Southern University – Department of Athletics. In 2007, Josephine won the Ladies Open tournament in the Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) Golfer of The Year series in Kitale.
These iconic portraits mounted on the walls of her lovely home in Nakuru – Kenya are the epitome of the golf heritage this family holds dear to.
Academic & Sports Awards by Josephine Ainley
Richard Ainley (PRO) – NGC’s Int’l Award Winning Golfer!
Richard is an International house-hold name in the sphere of Golf. He needs little to no introduction with his outstanding prowess on the fairways, but worth telling his story.
From the tender age of 4-years, the junior elite spent his days at Nakuru’s Golf Course. It was there that he grew a special liking to the sport; fascinated by the fact that adults would swing their clubs at a small white ball and thereafter chase it across the course.
Richard’s biggest motivation were his parents who not only inspired him but paved the opportunity for him to nurture his skills. The golf course was basically his playground.
“My fondest memory as a child is of my mum playing at the Kenya Ladies Limuru KLGU Golfer Of The Year at Limuru Country Club. While coming down the last hole, Leah Mburu shanked her 3rd shot onto the 9th green and I ran, picked it up, and brought it next to the hole on the 18th. The ladies were left in a dilemma, uncertain of the ruling as I was not authorised to do so. In my mind, there was no way Aunt Leah (the late), could hit such a bad shot! It was then deemed to be replaced without penalty.”
Richard Ainley
At 12-years, Richard was already participating in National junior tournaments and winning across the Country.
The passion for golf kept growing and at 17-years, he had made the Kenya National team and as a result of his academic excellence, Richard got a scholarship to study in the United States of America.
It was there that the opportunity to shine in golf became International.
Richard’s golfing prowess caught wind of one Coach Dave Mulder, through Richard Musembi – an acquaintance of the Ainley’s from Nakuru, who was also studying in the institute.
Mr. Mulder, who was also Richard’s Economics Professor at Northwestern College, decided to give him a chance on the golf course and the left handed PRO did not disappoint.
“When I joined Northwestern College, I would observe the golfers play and one day I dared my Coach for a match. I played the team for the first time and broke the course record as a left-handed golfer. Coach Mulder told me that I was too good a golfer to be playing division two in Northwestern College and solicited for me to get full scholarships from several other high-end institutes that poached me for full academic scholarships…all for being a natural talented golfer!”
Richard Ainley
For eligibility purposes, Richard continued to play for fun at Northwestern but his scores were not recorded there. He thereafter transitioned to Bossier Parish Community College on scholarship which was his stepping stone to the next frontier with golf and academics.
(Richard Ainley – standing 2nd front right standing
(Richard Ainley – 3rd from left standing)
As fate would have it, Richard gained fame for being a talented golfer from Nakuru – Kenya, and he made history by playing competitively with Tiger Woods at the Warwick Golf & Country Club in Michigan-USA on the PGA tour.
Back home, Richard played with his dad – Mr. Ainley, with a notable game being one he broke the course record at Njoro Golf Club.
With all the awards, Richard is a benevolent spirit with an infectious oozing passion for golf.
He is currently hands-on with the ongoing junior training program at Nakuru Golf Club together with his mother as he believes that just like him, the next frontier of golf PROs hail from the lush greens of where he was nurtured.
What next for Richard?
“To play competitively looking forward to the Senior PGA Tours and continue making history as a representative from Nakuru Golf Club.” – Richard concluded.
As Nakuru Golf Club Celebrates 100-years of golf, it is with great pride that such legacy is written as an honor to the heritage the Club holds.
Join us in commemorating a Century during the 4-day event in November 23rd to 26th at the Milimani greens and become part of the legacy!
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