DT East Africa swing praised for growing pro golf pathways
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Reading Time: 4min | Thu. 22.01.26. | 20:32
Gacheru also urged sponsors and corporate partners to consider supporting golfers directly,
The inaugural Sunshine Development Tour (SDT) East Africa Swing has been praised for creating clear and credible pathways for professional golfers across Africa, while also strengthening Kenya’s status as a regional golf hub.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the inaugural Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing, Tour Promoter Charles Gacheru lauded the collective effort that made the series possible.
“What we have been able to do together with our partners is to create a product not just for Kenya, but for the whole of Africa,” said Gacheru. “We are very thankful to the professionals who spend their own money to come and compete here. At the end of the day, if we put tournaments together and the professionals do not come, we have nothing.”
Gacheru also urged sponsors and corporate partners to consider supporting golfers directly, noting that while flagship events such as the Magical Kenya Open attract sponsorship, individual players often shoulder the financial burden of competing.
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“Even as we sponsor tournaments, we ask our partners to also think about sponsoring professionals as individuals. They need support to travel, train, and compete,” he said.
He further highlighted the strong working relationship between the Sunshine Development Tour and the Sunshine Tour of South Africa, which has opened up genuine progression opportunities for African players.
“Because of our partnership with the Sunshine Tour, we have had players like Njoroge going to compete in South Africa, Ronald Rugumayo earning opportunities, Celestin Nsanzuwera playing in South Africa, and Naomi Wafula progressing to the Sunshine Ladies Tour. These opportunities are all courtesy of the Sunshine Tour pathway.”
Kenya Open Golf Limited Chairman Patrick Obath underscored the strategic significance of the East Africa Swing.
“Towards the end of last year, we signed a recognition agreement with the Sunshine Development Tour. This meant that points earned on the Sunshine Development Tour would count towards the selection of regional and international professionals for the Magical Kenya Open.”
He noted that the partnership had already yielded tangible benefits during the season.
“It has really helped over the course of this year, and we are very grateful to the Sunshine Development Tour for agreeing to work with us on that basis.”
Kenya Golf Federation Chairman Philip Ocholla described the tour as a crucial link in Kenya’s long-term golf development structure, connecting junior, amateur, and professional pathways.
“This event culminates a very important series for our players,” said Ocholla. “The strength of golf development in Kenya is now driven through the Junior Golf Foundation, which feeds into our amateur series, and the amateur series now feeds into professional golf.”
He commended IMG Kenya and the Sunshine Tour for expanding competitive opportunities for local players.
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“With the effort that IMG has put in place together with the Sunshine Tour, our players have now competed in over 14 events. That prepares them well to face visiting professionals at the Magical Kenya Open, and we are confident they will be ready.”
National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) President Shadrack Maluki reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to transforming sport across the country, with golf playing an important role in that vision.
“We are looking at transforming all sports in this country because all talent matters, and golf is part of that journey,” said Maluki. “We will walk this journey together, and I am very happy to see strong partnerships and leadership involved in this transformation.”
He emphasized that collaboration across federations is essential for sustained success.
“Let us walk the journey together as an Olympic movement, together with golf and other federations.”
The inaugural Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing featured ten tournaments across East Africa, attracted over 220 players from across the continent, and delivered a first-of-its-kind mixed-field professional tour in the region.
Njoroge Kibugu emerged as the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing Order of Merit champion with 1,497 points, recording four tournament victories, including the final leg at Karen.
Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera finished second with 1,317 points, backed by two tournament wins and a season of consistent scoring.
Dismas Indiza of Kakamega Sports Club completed the top three with 753 points, highlighted by a tournament victory at Ruiru Sports Club.
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