Kenya’s Wafula enters Sunshine Ladies Tour history books

Kenyan professional golfer Naomi 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 women golfers.

The card grants Wafula access to the 2026 Sunshine Ladies Tour following a consistent and impressive showing during the recently concluded inaugural season of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing.

Wafula left Kenya for South Africa on Sunday, February 1, 2026, ahead of her debut on the Sunshine Ladies Tour, where she will compete as the only East African in the field.

She will begin her Sunshine Ladies Tour campaign at the SuperSport Ladies Challenge, scheduled to take place from February 4 to 6, 2026 at Humewood Golf Club.

The 54 hole tournament carries a prize purse of R1.3 million, approximately Kshs 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, the Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Finland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Czech Republic, Eswatini, the United States Virgin Islands and Kenya.

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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.

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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 February 13 to 15 at Fancourt Montagu, the Standard Bank Ladies Open from March 5 to 7 at Durbanville Golf Club and the Jabra Ladies Classic from March 11 to 13 at Killarney Country Club.

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Her season will continue with the Platinum Ladies Open from March 18 to 20 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 April 23 to 26 at Royal Cape Golf Club and the MCB Ladies Classic from May 1 to 3, 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.

She has already made history by becoming the first Kenyan golfer to earn a card to compete on the Sunshine Ladies Tour.

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