Vipingo Ridge’s Naom Wafula follows her teeshot during the 7th leg of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing at VetLab.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Kenyan professional and elite amateur golfers are gearing up for the Absa Invitational series, the penultimate leg of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, this week at the par-72 Thika Greens Golf Resort, as the Tour heads into a crucial phase of the season. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

The Thika Greens which tees off from the Wednesday 14th to Friday 16th January 2025, has attracted a strong regional field of 82 golfers from 10 African countries, with Kenyan players forming the largest contingent with 55 players as they look to capitalize on home advantage and push for valuable Sunshine Development Tour order of merit points, Official World Golf Ranking points and a share of the Ksh. 2 million prize money on offer.

Among those preparing for the event is leading Kenyan amateur and winner of the Royal Nairobi leg, John Lejirma, who has enjoyed a strong run on the Tour and continues to sharpen his game against professional competition.

John Lejirma follows his tee shot at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club during the sixth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing.

“I have been preparing well and I am looking forward to playing at Thika Greens,” said Lejirma. “Competing regularly on the Sunshine Development Tour has helped my game a lot, especially mentally. Playing against professionals from across Africa pushes you to raise your level every week.”

Muthaiga Golf Club professional Greg Snow, who has been a consistent performer on the Tour, recently claiming the Limuru Country Club leg title, believes the Thika leg will be highly competitive.

“Preparation has been good and I am feeling confident heading into Thika. The Tour has been very competitive this season and every event feels important. Thika Greens is a course that rewards good ball striking, so you really have to be sharp from the first tee. Having played there already in the current season, I feel confident that I will post good scores,” said Snow.

Also in the field is experienced Kenyan pro and President of the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK), John Wangai, who says the Tour has brought renewed focus and structure to professional golf in the country.

“I have been working on my game and fitness ahead of Thika,” said Wangai. “This Tour has given us regular competition at a high standard, and that makes a big difference. Every event feels like an opportunity to test yourself and move closer to the next level. We look forward to a great event in Thika as we approach the end of the season.”

CJ Wangai in action during the Betika Masters at VetLab Sports Club.

For Joyce Wanjiru of Kiambu Golf Club who recently turned professional, the Thika Greens event is a perfect opportunity to launch her professional career and is eager to make an impact.

“My preparation has been focused on consistency and course management,” said Wanjiru. “Playing at Thika Greens is special for me and I am excited to compete against such a strong field. Being part of this Tour has given me confidence that I belong at this level. Seeing the growth of professional golf in Kenya over the past year played a key part in convincing me to turn pro.”

Sunshine Ladies Tour card holder Naom Wafula, who continues to use the Tour to sharpen her game, said the Thika event is key as players look to finish the season strongly.

“I have been preparing well and focusing on my short game and fitness,” said Wafula. “The Sunshine Development Tour has raised the level of competition and every event matters. Thika Greens is an important leg and I am looking forward to testing myself again.”

The Thika Greens tournament forms part of the Absa Invitational series and is expected to deliver three days of intense competition as Kenyan players look to assert themselves against strong regional opposition drawn from Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Burundi, Ghana and Senegal.

The Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing continues to provide a structured, merit based pathway for professional and elite amateur golfers, offering Official World Golf Ranking points and a direct route to continental and global golf opportunities.

Njoroge Kibugu

By AMANDA DAMARIS AND DANIELLA APIYO

Kenya’s Njoroge Kibugu and Naom Wafula have secured historic playing cards on the Sunshine Tour and Sunshine Ladies Tour after strong performances throughout the inaugural season of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing. Their achievements mark the first time Kenyan or East African golfers have earned full tour cards to major professional golf tours. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Njoroge secured his Sunshine Tour card directly by winning three Sunshine Development Tour events this season at Thika Greens Golf Resort, Nyali Golf Club and Vetlab Sports Club. His consistent run has placed him firmly at the top of the Tour standings and confirmed him as the first Kenyan and first East African to earn a full playing card on a global professional tour. For his stellar performance in the Tour, he has climbed 1,896 places on the Official World Golf Ranking from 3,508 before the start of the Tour to 1,612 currently – making him the highest-ranked East African in the world.

Naom Wafula earned her card to the Sunshine Ladies Tour after an outstanding season where she made seven out of eight cuts on the Sunshine Development Tour. She is currently ranked eighteenth on the Order of Merit and is the highest ranked female player on the Tour. Her performances throughout the season have confirmed her status as one of the region’s rising professionals.

Njoroge Kabugu

Speaking on the achievement, Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing Promoter Charles said this marks a turning point for golf in Kenya and the wider region:

“One hundred and twenty-five years after golf was introduced in this region, we launched the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing in partnership with the Sunshine Tour of South Africa to not only create a series of events in Kenya and East Africa but to create a link to global golf. The Sunshine Development Tour has created that link. It is the only world-ranked tour in Kenya, and the only one that offers ranking points that opens the doors to major global tours and also count towards Olympic qualification,” he said.

Gacheru added that Njoroge’s achievement sets a new benchmark for the region. “Njoroge Kibugu has secured a full Sunshine Tour card for 2026. This is a first for East African golf. He becomes the first East African and the first Kenyan in one hundred and twenty-five years to secure a full membership card to the Sunshine Tour. He has earned it purely on merit, through his performances on this tour. We expect him to flourish there and earn bigger world ranking points. He has now moved on to the main tour and will be playing against top professionals.”

NCBA Group Director Marketing, Communications & Citizenship, Njoroge Kibugu, and Nelly Wainaina (right) NCBA Deputy Director, and Head of Brands Jacquie Muhati (left)

On Wafula, Gacheru said her consistency made the difference. “Naom has been one of Kenya’s top amateur women for a long time and since turning professional she has shown the discipline and commitment needed at this level. She has now earned full membership to the Sunshine Ladies Tour for next year. This is also a first for Kenya and East Africa and we are proud that she has come through this pathway,” he said.

Njoroge said earning the card was a major moment in his young career. “It means a lot to be the first Kenyan to secure a Sunshine Tour card. I am very grateful to the Sunshine Development Tour for giving us this opportunity and I am excited to showcase my talent at the next level. The tour has been very important because right now it is the only way to get to a global tour apart from the Kenya Open,” he said.

He added that this achievement shows young golfers what is possible. “Getting this card proves that players from this region can move up. For juniors coming up they now see a clear pathway and that there is something big to play for. On the main tour my goal is to keep my card for the full season and try to get into the top ten as many times as possible. If I can get a win, it would be great. I want to gain as much knowledge as I can. I have played there before, and I believe I can do much better than I did. At 22 my long-term goal is to reach the major tours like the PGA Tour, LIV or the Asia Tour.”

Njoroge Kibugu in action at SIgona Golf Club during the PGK Equator Tour

Commenting on the development, Kenya Golf Union Chairman, Chris Kinuthia, said:

“The entire golfing fraternity under the Kenya Golf Union congratulates Njoroge Kibugu and Naom Wafula on this historic milestone which will, undoubtedly, enhance Kenya’s profile as a golfing nation. The achievements underscore the need for further investment in golf development in the country from both an amateur and professional perspective and highlights the need for a sustained pathway such as the Sunshine Development Tour and other Tours which elevate local and regional golf to global standards. We look forward to following both players’ progress at the Sunshine Tour and commit our continued support.”

Wafula said the news was emotional for her and marked the fulfilment of a long-term dream. “For me to be the first Kenyan woman golfer to get a global tour card through the Sunshine Development Tour is amazing. It has always been my dream to play on a major tour and I was overwhelmed when I received the news. I am grateful to the Sunshine Development Tour because it has given us a chance to play high level competitions here at home and that has opened the door for me to go international,” she said.

She added that she hopes her journey encourages other girls. “I hope other young women will see that it is possible to reach international platforms through this pathway. My goal now is to play in all Sunshine Ladies Tour events next season and do my best in each tournament.”

Kenya Ladies Golf Union Chairperson Rosemary Mkok congratulated Naom for her achievement and said it is a defining moment for the development of women’s golf in Kenya:

“We congratulate Naom on this remarkable accomplishment which immortalizes her in Kenya’s golf history books as the first female golfer to ever get a card to a global tour. We applaud her for her tremendous effort and focus which has earned her this great opportunity to fly Kenya’s flag in Africa’s elite ladies golf tour for the coming season. This achievement aligns with our mission of sustained development of ladies’ golf in the country, and we commit to continue working with like-minded partners to achieve this goal. We are very proud of you Naom,” said Mkok

The East Africa Swing will conclude its season with two more tournaments in January 2026. The first will be staged at Thika Greens Golf Resort marking the ninth leg of the Tour, followed by the Grand Finale at the Karen Country Club, where the top 30 players from the Tour will compete against the top 30 players from South Africa’s Big Easy Tour. The finalists will compete for promotion cards to the main Sunshine Tour for the 2026 season.