Kabete Challenge winner Dismas Indiza poses with his trophy

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Kakamega Sports Club veteran professional Dismas Indiza claimed his second Sunshine Development Tour title after edging out Karen Country Club’s Edwin Mudanyi in a dramatic sudden-death playoff at the conclusion of the Kabete Challenge at VetLab Sports Club on Tuesday. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Indiza and Mudanyi finished regulation play tied on 3-under par 213, forcing a playoff after an enthralling final round that saw both players trade blows in pursuit of the title.

Indiza, who began the day tied for the lead alongside Mudanyi and Michael Karanga, carded a composed 2-under par 70. His round featured birdies on the 4th, 5th, 17th and 18th holes, while bogeys on the 2nd and 7th threatened to derail his charge.

The veteran’s resilience proved decisive as he birdied the 18th hole to post the clubhouse lead and pile pressure on Mudanyi in the final group.

Speaking after his victory, Indiza said: “I’m very happy with the win. It wasn’t easy because the competition was very strong and Edwin played really well today. I stayed patient, trusted my experience and kept fighting until the last hole. Making that birdie on 18 gave me a chance, and once we got into the playoff, I knew I just had to stay focused and give myself an opportunity.”

“This is a good result for me and a big boost for the rest of the season.”

Edwin Mudanyi (R) receives his runners-up dummy cheque from Sunshine Development Tour CEO David Ndung’u (L).

Mudanyi looked poised to secure the title after leading for much of the day. The Karen Country Club professional produced a steady round highlighted by birdies on the 1st, 7th and 10th holes, with his only dropped shot coming on the 3rd as he also signed for a 2-under par 70.

Heading to the 18th hole, Mudanyi held a one-shot advantage and appeared set to seal victory. However, a par on the closing hole, coupled with Indiza’s birdie moments earlier, saw the pair finish tied and head into a playoff where Indiza eventually emerged victorious.

Mudanyi said after the round: “It’s disappointing to come so close and not get the win, but that’s golf. I played solidly throughout the week and gave myself a chance. There are plenty of positives to take from this performance and I’ll use it as motivation going into the next events on the Tour.”

For his victory, Indiza pocketed KES 300,000 from the tournament’s KES 1.5 million prize purse, while Mudanyi earned KES 160,500 for his runner-up finish.

Finishing third was elite amateur Adel Balala of Nyali Golf & Country Club, who carded a tournament total of 2-under par 214. Balala once again demonstrated his growing stature on the regional golf scene with a consistent three-round performance against a strong professional field.

Balala said: “I’m pleased with how I played this week. Competing against some of the region’s best professionals and finishing near the top gives me a lot of confidence. There are still areas I can improve on, but overall it’s been a positive week and I’m looking forward to the next challenge.”

Newly turned professional Michael Karanga continued his impressive start to life in the paid ranks, finishing fourth on 1-under par 215.

Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera was the highest-ranked foreign player, finishing tied eighth alongside Kenya’s Mutahi Kibugu on 4-over par 220.

The Kabete Challenge attracted 67 players from 10 countries, including professionals, amateurs and junior golfers from across East Africa and beyond.

The tournament formed the third leg of the 2026 Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing season and offered players valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points and Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points, which are crucial for progression to the main Sunshine Tour.

Nyali’s Daniel Nduvain action during the second round of the NCBA Royal Classic at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Following the conclusion of the NCBA Royal Classic at Royal Nairobi Golf Club, the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing now heads to VetLab Sports Club for the Kabete Challenge, set to be played from Sunday, June 14 to Tuesday, June 16. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

The tournament, which is the third leg of the 2026/27 season, has attracted a field of 70 players from 10 countries, underscoring the growing regional and international appeal of the Tour.

Players from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, India, the United Kingdom and the United States are set to compete for a share of the KES 1.5 million prize purse, as well as valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points.

Leading the Kenyan challenge is Daniel Nduva of Nyali Golf & Country Club, who arrives in Kabete full of confidence after securing his maiden Sunshine Development Tour title at the NCBA Royal Classic earlier this week.

Nduva will face stiff competition from a strong local contingent that includes John Lejirma, Greg Snow, Dismas Indiza, David Wakhu, CJ Wangai, Samuel Njoroge, Jastas Madoya, Abraham Galgalo, Nelson Mudanyi, and Erick Ooko.

Rwanda’s challenge will be spearheaded by season-opening champion Celestin Nsanzuwera, who won the first leg of the season at Thika Sports Club and currently sits on top of the Tour’s Order of Merit. He will be joined by compatriots Nsabimana Aloys and Emile Nshimyumuremyi.

Uganda boasts one of the strongest foreign contingents in the field, led by Abraham Ainamani, who has been a consistent performer in the opening events of the season. He will be joined by Gaita Rodell, Philip Kasozi, and lady professional Grace Kasango.

Nigerian pro Sunday Olapade in action during the second round of the NCBA Royal Classic at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club

The West African contingent will once again be well represented by a strong Nigerian team featuring Sunday Olapade, who shared second place at Royal Nairobi, Francis Epe, winner of the Sunshine Development Tour West Africa Qualifying School, Ajayi Tajudeen, Ideriah Solomon, and Eze Monday.

Ghana will be represented by Ezekiel Afisco, while Ivory Coast has entered Richard Kouame together with compatriot Kouassi Jean-Romaric Djezou.

The international flavor of the event is further enhanced by the participation of American professionals Andrew Proctor and Gabriel Cruz, England’s Elliot Bradley, and Indian junior Mitansh Thacker.

The ladies’ field will feature Kenya’s Naom Wafula, Joyce Wanjiru, and Margaret Njoki, alongside Tanzania’s Angel Eaton, all looking to make their mark against a strong mixed field.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing Tournament Director David Kihara expressed satisfaction with the strength of the field and the momentum the Tour has generated in the opening weeks of the season.

“We have had a very exciting start to the season with two highly competitive tournaments at Thika Sports Club and Royal Nairobi Golf Club. The quality of golf has been outstanding, and the fact that we continue to attract players from across Africa and beyond demonstrates the growing stature of the Sunshine Development Tour.”

“VetLab has always produced quality competition, and we expect another exciting week of golf. The race for Order of Merit points is already taking shape, players are chasing world ranking opportunities, and everyone understands how important every tournament is in the journey towards Sunshine Tour progression. We look forward to another great event.”

The Kabete Challenge follows a highly competitive NCBA Royal Classic where Daniel Nduva staged a remarkable back-nine comeback to secure his maiden Sunshine Development Tour title.

Prior to that, Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera claimed victory in the season-opening event at Thika Sports Club, ensuring that the race for honours remains wide open as the Tour continues its journey across the region.