Dismas Indiza tees off at the Shunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing Ruiru Leg.

By DANIELLA APIYO

All is set for the Johnnie Walker Classic, the sixth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing (SDT–EAS), which will take place from 13th to 15th October 2025 at the 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.

The tournament will see 82 golfers from across Africa battle it out for Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points, and a Ksh 2 million prize purse.

The event will be preceded by the Johnnie Walker Pro-Am on Saturday, 11th October, giving amateurs the rare chance to tee off alongside top regional professionals before the main championship begins.

This year’s Royal leg has attracted an impressive field of elite professionals and top amateurs from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Malawi, and Burundi. It will feature 54 holes of play, with the top 30 players and ties making the cut after round two to compete in the final round on Wednesday, 15th October.

The tournament received a major boost with the announcement that Vivo Energy Kenya, the Shell licensee in Kenya, has come on board as a sponsor for the Royal leg — reinforcing its commitment to supporting the growth of professional and elite amateur golf in the country.

Speaking during the announcement, Yvonne Samantha Achieng, Marketing Manager at Vivo Energy Kenya, expressed the company’s pride in partnering with the Sunshine Development Tour, noting that the partnership aligns with the company’s broader goal 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. Achieng.

“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 even the Olympic Games,” she added.

Peter Gacheru, IMG Kenya CEO welcomed the partnership, emphasizing the Tour’s growing role in transforming regional golf.

“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 changed the landscape of professional golf in our region — we’re seeing stronger participation, improved performance, and increasing global recognition through world ranking points,” he said.

“With the support of partners like Johnnie Walker and Vivo Energy Kenya, we’re not just growing a tournament — we’re building a pathway for African golfers to the global stage.”

Tournament Director, David Kihara, confirmed that the Royal Nairobi Golf Club is in perfect condition and ready for play:

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

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

Among the female golfers set to compete are Naom Wafula (Kenya), Angel Eaton (Tanzania), Margaret Njoki (Kenya), Ashley Awuor (Kenya), Kellie Gachaga (Kenya), and Madina Hussein (Tanzania) — continuing the Tour’s commitment to inclusion and supporting women in golf.

The Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing is a professional golf circuit that provides a structured pathway for elite amateur and professional golfers in Africa. Players earn Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, alongside Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points that help them qualify 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.