Naom Wafula in action during the Johnnie Walker Classic, the sixth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club on Monday, 13th October 2025.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Kenyan professional golfer Naom Wafula is set to make her debut on the Sunshine Ladies Tour this week in South Africa, marking a historic milestone in her career after earning a playing card to the prestigious continental tour for professional lady golfers. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

The card grants her access to this year’s Sunshine Ladies Tour following a consistent and impressive showing at the recently concluded inaugural season on the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing.

Naomi left Kenya for South Africa on Sunday, ahead of her debut at the Sunshine Ladies Tour this week where she will feature as the only East African.

She will tee off her Sunshine Ladies Tour journey at the SuperSport Ladies Challenge, scheduled for this week from 4th to 6th February 2026 at Humewood Golf Club. The 54-hole tournament carries a prize purse of R1.3 million (approximately KES 10.4 million) and has attracted a field of 56 professional golfers.

The field features players from 15 countries, including South Africa, Canada, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Finland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Czech Republic, Swaziland, United States Virgin Islands and Kenya.

Speaking ahead of her debut, Wafula said she feels ready for the step up, crediting the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing for her preparation and growth.

“I feel well prepared going into my first Sunshine Ladies Tour event. Playing on the Sunshine Development Tour gave me regular competitive golf, exposure to strong fields and helped me understand what is required at the next level. I am excited to test myself and continue learning as I take this next step in my career,” she said.

Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing Chairman, Peter Gacheru said Wafula’s progression reflects the purpose and impact of the Tour.

“Naom’s debut on the Sunshine Ladies Tour is exactly what the Sunshine Development Tour was created to achieve. She earned this opportunity through consistent performance and merit. It is a proud moment for Kenyan and East African golf and a clear demonstration that the pathway we have built is working,” said Gacheru.

Following the SuperSport Ladies Challenge, Wafula is scheduled to compete in several more Sunshine Ladies Tour events, including the NTT Data Ladies Pro Am from 13 – 15 February at Fancourt Montagu, the Standard Bank Ladies Open from 5 – 7 March at Durbanville Golf Club, and the Jabra Ladies Classic from 11–13 March at Killarney Country Club.

Her season will continue with the Platinum Ladies Open from 18 – 20 March at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate, the Absa Ladies Invitational from 26 – 28 March at Royal Johannesburg, the Joburg Ladies Open from 16 – 19 April at Randpark Golf Club, the Investec SA Women’s Open from 23 –  26 April at Royal Cape Golf Club, and the MCB Ladies Classic from 1 – 3 May 2026.

Wafula’s Sunshine Ladies Tour debut marks another historic step for Kenyan women’s golf and highlights the growing role of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing as a pathway to global professional tours. Naom made history by becoming the first Kenyan golfer to earn a card to play at the Sunshine Ladies Tour.

Njoroge Kibugu after winning the final leg of the Sunshine Development Tour, the Absa Invitational at Karen Country Club

By AMANDA DAMARIS

Windsor Golf & Country Club professional Njoroge Kibugu has been crowned the Order of Merit champion of the inaugural Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing, following a dominant victory at the season finale, the Absa Invitational Series, played at Karen Country Club. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Kibugu, who began the final round tied for the lead with Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera on 8-under par, delivered a composed and clinical performance, carding a final-round 6-under par 64 to pull clear and secure both the tournament title and the overall Order of Merit crown.

His final round featured seven birdies on holes 6, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15 and 18, against a single bogey on the 3rd, as he closed the tournament on an impressive 14-under par 196.

Peter Waweru, Absa Bank Kenya Head of Brand & Consumer Marketing presents a trophy to Njoroge Kibugu following his triumph at the Absa Invitational Series, at Karen Club.

The victory confirmed Kibugu’s place at the top of the final Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing Order of Merit, where he finished with 1,497 points following four tournament wins and top finishes during the season. He also walked away with KES 400,000 from the tournament’s KES 2 million prize purse.

Speaking after his win, Kibugu said: “This one means a lot to me. Coming into the season finale, I wasn’t feeling my best after the holiday break, but I trusted my game and focused on giving myself chances. I putted well and stayed patient, and that made the difference. Winning the Order of Merit feels like a real statement and a reward for the work I’ve put in. It gives me confidence and motivation for what lies ahead.”

Celestin Nsanzuwera finished second overall on 9-under par 201, after a determined final-round effort as he chased a third title on the Tour. He started strongly with birdies on the 1st and 2nd, but dropped shots on the 4th, 5th and 15th, before closing with birdies on 17 and 18 to sign for a 1-under par final round.

His runner-up finish saw him end the season second on the Order of Merit with 1,317 points, having claimed two tournament wins during the campaign.

Reflecting on his round, Nsanzuwera said: “I started well, but mistakes on holes four and five cost me momentum. I stayed focused and tried to play my game, but a few missed chances made the difference. Finishing second on the Order of Merit is still a strong result, and I’m proud of the season I’ve had.”

Taimur Malik finished as the leading amateur at Karen, producing a superb final-round 5-under par 65 to finish third on the leaderboard with a total of 8-under par 202.

Peter Waweru, Absa Bank Kenya Head of Brand & Consumer Marketing presents a trophy to Njoroge Kibugu at Karen Country Club

“It feels great to finish this way. I struggled on the first day but played really well in the second and third rounds. I hit the ball better today and was able to take advantage of my chances, which helped me finish strong,” said Malik.

Mutahi Kibugu finished fourth on 4-under par 206, while Isaiah Otuke claimed fifth place on 3-under par 205. Zimbabwe’s Visitor Mapwanya produced the lowest round of the tournament, firing a 7-under par final round, to finish tied on 2-under par 208 alongside Greg Snow and Mike Kisia.

On the final Order of Merit standings, Dismas Indiza finished third with 753 points, followed by amateur John Lejirma in fourth with 605 points, and Greg Snow in fifth with 578 points.

The Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing concludes its inaugural season having established a clear competitive pathway for professional and elite amateur golfers across the region, with the top performers now advancing to continental playoff opportunities and Sunshine Tour qualification events.

Following the Karen event, eyes now turn to the Big Easy Tour Playoff which will be held at the Modderfontein Golf Club on 27th – 29th January 2026.

Following the event, the top 12 players on the combined East Africa Swing and Big Easy Tour Order of Merit will earn direct playing cards to the Sunshine Tour.

Afterwards, the top 30 players from the SDT East Africa Swing and top 30 from South Africa’s Big Easy Tour will contest the Big Easy Tour Finals, scheduled for March 2026 in South Africa where 12 slots will be on offer to play at the Sunshine Tour Final Qualifying School for a chance to secure additional Sunshine Tour cards.