Lejirma targets strong show at SportsBiz Africa Golf Championship
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Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 01.09.25. | 16:07
The 2025 Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing has provided a rare platform for amateurs
Kenya’s top amateur golfer, John Lejirma of Royal Nairobi Golf Club, has set his sights on making a strong impression at the SportsBiz Africa Golf Championship, the fifth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing, scheduled for Wednesday, 3 to Friday, 5 September, at the Kigali Golf Resort & Villas.
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Lejirma, one of the standout amateurs on the Swing so far, believes his preparation and experience from earlier tournaments will give him a solid platform to compete against an elite field of professionals from across Africa.
He has already underlined his pedigree by finishing second at the Ruiru leg, where he took veteran Dismas Indiza to a dramatic playoff, further cementing his reputation as one of East Africa’s brightest golf prospects.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Lejirma said his approach has been centred on simplicity and discipline:
“My preparation has been about keeping things simple. I have been working on my consistency, sharpening my short game, and staying mentally strong. I am looking forward to competing at my best.”
He added that his technical focus has been on two specific areas of his game that could give him an edge in Kigali:
“I have really been working on my putting and approach play from 150 yards in. I feel those improvements will give me a good chance this week.”
Having already tested himself against some of the best players in the region during the Thika and Ruiru events, Lejirma says competing against seasoned professionals has been both humbling and motivating.
“Testing my game as an amateur is always a huge opportunity. Playing against experienced pros pushes me to raise my own level and shows me exactly where I need to improve.
It’s motivating because you get to measure your game against some of the very best.”
The 2025 Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing has provided a rare platform for amateurs like Lejirma, as the events carry not only Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points but also Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points.
This means every strong finish directly impacts career progression and global recognition.
Looking ahead to Kigali, Lejirma says his expectations are clear:
“My personal expectations for this fifth leg of the tour are just about putting myself in contention again and building on the lessons from previous events. The results will follow if I can stay focused on my process.”
As one of the leading amateurs on the Tour’s Order of Merit standings, Lejirma represents the growing crop of Kenyan golfers using the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing to prepare for the professional ranks while also chasing ranking points that can boost their global visibility.
The SportsBiz Africa Golf Championship, sponsored by SportsBiz Africa, Johnnie Walker (EABL), Kigali Golf Resort & Villas, and Pure Travel, has attracted 121 golfers from 16 countries and will serve as a precursor to the SportsBiz Africa Forum, a two-day conference in Kigali focused on advancing Africa’s sports industry.
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