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.

NCBA Royal Classic Champion Daniel Nduva poses with his trophy.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Nyali Golf & Country Club professional Daniel Nduva produced a remarkable back-nine comeback to win the NCBA Royal Classic, the second leg of the 2026 Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, played at Royal Nairobi Golf Club. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Nduva, who began the final round tied for second place, carded a level-par 72 to finish the tournament on 3-under par 213, securing his maiden Sunshine Development Tour title and the winner’s cheque of KES 400,000 from the tournament’s KES 2 million prize purse.

The victory was anything but straightforward for the coastal golfer, who endured a difficult opening nine. His front nine featured bogeys on the 1st and 8th holes as well as a costly double-bogey on the 7th, leaving him with work to do heading into the closing stretch.

However, Nduva mounted a spirited recovery on the back nine, sinking crucial birdies on the 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th and 17th holes to claw his way back into contention and eventually emerge victorious.

Speaking after his win, Nduva credited his driving and resilience for helping him secure the title.

“It feels really good to get this win. The front nine was challenging and I had a few unlucky breaks, but I stayed patient and kept believing in my game. On the back nine, I hit every fairway and every green, and that gave me the confidence to attack the pins and create birdie opportunities.”

“My driving was probably the strongest part of my game today. When you’re hitting the driver well, it gives you confidence throughout the rest of your game. I managed to make five birdies on the back nine and that ultimately made the difference.”

“Last year I struggled with injury, so to come back and win again means a lot to me. This victory is a reminder that golf is about staying patient, fighting through the difficult moments and believing in yourself even when things are not going your way.”

NCBA Royal Classic Champion Daniel Nduva receives his trophy from Nelly Wainaina, NCBA Group Director for Marketing, Communication and Citizenship.

For his efforts, Nduva pocketed KES 400,000 from the tournament’s KES 2 million prize purse, in addition to valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points.

The battle for the title remained tight throughout the final round, with six players eventually sharing second place on 1-under par 215.

The group comprised Kenya’s John Lejirma, Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera, David Wakhu, Greg Snow, amateur Adel Balala, and Nigeria’s Sunday Olapade, who had started the day as the overnight leader.

For their performances, the six players each earned KES 114,833 from the prize purse.

Commenting on his performance, Snow said: “I’m pleased with the way I fought throughout the week. Royal Nairobi is always a demanding course and you have to stay patient because opportunities can come at any time. I gave myself chances, but a few shots here and there made the difference. Finishing tied for second is still a positive result and gives me confidence heading into the next events.”

Lejirma, who continued his impressive start to life as a professional golfer, said:

“It was a solid week overall. There are definitely positives I can take from my game, even though I would have loved to get over the line. The competition was very strong and it came down to small margins. As a new professional, every tournament is an opportunity to learn, improve and continue building momentum for the season.”

Amateur golfer Adel Balala said: “It’s encouraging to be in contention against such a strong professional field. I learned a lot over the three days, especially about managing pressure when you’re near the top of the leaderboard. I’ll take the lessons from this week and continue working hard on my game.”

On his part, overnight leader Sunday Olapade said: “It was a tough final round and unfortunately I couldn’t maintain the momentum from yesterday, but that’s golf. The competition was excellent and I enjoyed the challenge. I’ll take the positives from the week and continue working hard as the season progresses.”

The NCBA Royal Classic attracted a strong field of 96 local and international professionals and amateurs from across Africa and beyond, all competing for Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points.

The tournament also marked the second event of the 2026/27 Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing season following the opening leg at Thika Sports Club, won by Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera.

Attention now shifts to the next leg of the Tour at Vetlab Sports Club this Sunday, 14th to 16th June, as players continue their pursuit of Sunshine Tour progression opportunities and valuable Order of Merit points in what promises to be another highly competitive season.