Kenya’s golf leadership has hailed the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing (SDT–EAS) as a major boost for the growth of professional golf in the region, describing it as a “game changer” that is broadening global exposure and opportunities for local players.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the Betika Masters at Limuru Country Club, Golf Kenya President Philip Ocholla commended the Tour for creating a clear progression structure linking junior, amateur, and professional golf — and for aligning with the Safari Tour and Magical Kenya Open qualification system.
“This is a very opening space for Kenyan athletes and visiting players. It’s a clear indication that the pathway we’ve been working on — from junior to amateur to professional golf — is now taking shape,” said Ocholla.
“I’m happy that the Sunshine Development Tour has made it possible for players earning points here to also get an opportunity to play at the Magical Kenya Open,” he added.
Ocholla noted that despite this being the Tour’s inaugural season, the progress made already demonstrates strong potential for sustainability and long-term growth of professional golf across East Africa.
“There may be teething problems, but they are lessons that will help us build a sustainable future and prepare disciplined athletes ready to make the cut at the Magical Kenya Open,” he said.
Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) Chairman Patrick Obath also praised the SDT–EAS for raising competition standards among regional professionals and providing a recognized pathway to international golf through its Sunshine Tour sanctioning.
“It’s great to see how the SDT has grown. The level of competition has improved tremendously, and this bodes well for the players who will qualify for the Magical Kenya Open,” said Obath.
“We’re hopeful that more Kenyan and regional players will make the cut next February, thanks to the exposure and consistency this Tour has provided.”
The Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing is a professional development circuit sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour of South Africa. It allows East African golfers to earn Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and Safari Tour Order of Merit points toward qualification for the Magical Kenya Open, a DP World Tour event.
Now in its debut season, the Tour has hosted events in Kenya and Rwanda, including stops at Thika Greens, Ruiru Sports Club, Nyali Golf Club, VetLab Sports Club, Kigali Golf Club, and most recently Limuru Country Club.
The series will next head to Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort before the Grand Finale at Karen Country Club in January 2026, where the top 30 players from East Africa will face off against the top 30 from South Africa’s Big Easy Tour for Sunshine Tour playing cards.
