Vivo Energy Kenya Marketing Manager, Yvonne Achieng (left) with IMG Kenya CEO Peter Gacheru sign the sponsorship agreement.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

A strong field of 82 golfers from across Africa has been confirmed for the Johnnie Walker Classic, the sixth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, taking place from 13th to 15th October at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club. The event will also feature a Pro-Am tournament presented by Johnnie Walker on Saturday, October 11, ahead of the main championship. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

The Royal event has attracted top professional and elite amateur golfers drawn from Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Malawi, all vying for world ranking points and a share of the Ksh. 2 million prize purse.

It will feature 54 holes, with the top 30 players and ties making the cut after round two to compete in the final round on Wednesday, 15th October.

The event has received a major boost as leading fuel marketer Vivo Energy Kenya, the Shell licensee in the country has come on board as a sponsor for the Royal leg, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the growth and development of professional and elite amateur golf in Kenya.

Speaking during the announcement, Vivo Energy Kenya Marketing Manager, Yvonne Samantha Achieng, expressed the company’s pride in partnering with the Sunshine Development Tour, noting that the sponsorship aligns with the company’s broader vision of empowering communities through sport.

“We are delighted to support the development of professional and elite amateur golf in the country. This partnership reflects our strategic objectives of investing in sports that continue to shape Kenya’s reputation on the global stage,” said Ms. Yvonne Samantha Achieng.

She added: “We are looking forward to being part of the success story of Kenyan sports, and through this golf sponsorship, we hope to see more Kenyan and East African golfers excel in global tournaments such as the Magical Kenya Open and the Olympic Games.”

Vivo Energy Kenya Marketing Manager, Yvonne Achieng with IMG Kenya CEO Peter Gacheru at Royal Nairobi Club.

Peter Gacheru, IMG Kenya CEO, expressed optimism about the continued growth of the Tour:

“We are thrilled to have Vivo Energy Kenya join hands with us for the Royal tournament. Their support demonstrates growing corporate confidence in the Tour’s role in transforming regional golf. The East Africa Swing has transformed the landscape of professional golf in our region and we’re seeing stronger participation, better performance, and increasing global recognition through world ranking points. With the support of partners like Johnnie Walker and Vivo Energy Kenya, we’re not just growing a tournament, but we are also building a pathway for African golfers to the global stage.”

According to Tournament Director David Kihara, the course is in top shape and ready for play.

“Preparations are in top gear for the Royal leg. The course is in great condition, and we expect very competitive golf throughout the three days. We’re also delighted to see such a strong international field and vibrant local participation, which speaks to how far the Tour has come.”

The tournament field includes leading professionals such as Celestin Nsanzuwera from Rwanda, winner of the previous leg in Kigali; Kenya’s Njoroge Kibugu, Mutahi Kibugu, Dismas Indiza, David Wakhu, Greg Snow, Visitor Mapwanya (Zimbabwe), Olapade Sunday (Nigeria), and Phillip Kasozi (Uganda).

Among the women set to compete are Naom Wafula of Vipingo Ridge, Angel Eaton from Tanzania, Margaret Njoki (Kenya), Ashley Awuor (Kenya), Kellie Gachaga (Kenya), and Madina Hussein (Tanzania), continuing the Tour’s commitment to inclusivity and promoting women in golf.

The Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing provides a structured platform for professionals and elite amateurs to earn Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, alongside Sunshine Development Tour points, contributing to qualification opportunities for higher-tier tours such as the Sunshine Tour and Big Easy Tour in South Africa.

Samuel Njoroge follows his tee shot. He finished second.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND DAMARIS APIYO

Veteran and Kakamega Golf Club’s pro golfer Dismas Indiza has claimed the Fifth Leg of the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) Equator Tour held in Nakuru. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

The in-form and determined Indiza fired an impressive 12-under-par, totalling 280 over four rounds, to secure his first PGK Equator Tour title. Indiza took home KES 201,000 as the overall winner.

“This tour is really good for us Kenyan professional golfers. It has kept us on the course as we prepare for next year’s Magical Kenya Open and the Olympics qualifier. In the last leg, I finished second after a playoff, and today I am happy to have finally taken the trophy home, though I almost messed up on the last hole after hitting out of bounds,” said an elated Indiza.

Taking second place was Safaricom-sponsored golfer Samuel Njoroge from the Railways Golf Club, who carded a total of 282, 10-under-par, tying with Jastas Madoya of the Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort. The duo each walked away with KES 138,750.

“The Nakuru leg has been great. I came here expecting a top five finish, and I am glad to have achieved that. The course was in good condition with favourable weather. I remained focused throughout and really paid off with the second position overall. I now draw my attention to the next leg which I hope to win.  My dream is to one day represent Kenya at the Olympics, and I’m working hard towards that,” said Samuel Njoroge.

David Wahu finished fourth with a total of 286, 6-under-par, taking home KES 105,000.

John Kagiri and Daniel Nduva settled for fifth place, while other Safaricom-sponsored golfers Mohit Mediratta and Mutahi Kibugu tied for seventh on 289, three-under-par, alongside Isaiah Otuke, John Karichu, and Mike Kisia.

Vipingo Golf Club’s Naomi Wafula, the only accredited PGK Lady Pro, finished in 17th position, her first PGK Tour event where she made the cut.

With the Nakuru leg concluded, the PGK Equator Tour now heads to Diamonds Leisure Golf Resort in Diani in two weeks’ time for the sixth leg, as the race to secure qualification points for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics intensifies.

Among the key corporate sponsors of the event is Safaricom, which has committed KES 3 million over three years to support four professional golfers; Mohit Mediratta, Mutahi Kibugu, Matthew Wahome, and Samuel Njoroge.