The Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing has received a major boost after leading gaming company Betika announced a KSh 5 million sponsorship for two consecutive tournaments slated for November.
The two events, dubbed the Betika Masters, will be held at Vetlab Sports Club from November 2–4, followed by Limuru Country Club from November 9–11, 2025.
Each leg will feature a 54-hole stroke play format, attracting more than 100 professional and elite amateur golfers from across East Africa, with the top 30 and ties making the cut after two rounds.
Players will compete for KSh 2 million prize money per event, as well as Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, forming part of the Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit that paves the way to elite circuits such as the Sunshine Tour and Big Easy Tour in South Africa.
Speaking during the sponsorship announcement, Betika Head of Brand, Eric Mwiti, said the company’s support reflects its commitment to inclusivity and long-term sports development.
“We are proud to support the Sunshine Development Tour as part of our commitment to growing sports inclusively. Our focus has been on players such as John Lejirma and Michael Karanga, but now we want to strengthen the pathway itself so that other players can access the same opportunities,” Mwiti said.
IMG Kenya CEO Peter Gacheru lauded Betika’s involvement, saying the partnership would open more opportunities for golfers to earn global ranking points locally.
“With the support of partners like Betika, we’re not just growing a tournament but also building a pathway for Kenyan golfers to the global stage,” he said.
Earlier this month, Lejirma claimed victory in a thrilling playoff during the sixth leg of the tour at Royal Nairobi Golf Club, reaffirming the growing competitiveness of the East Africa Swing.
The next stops on the calendar are the Vetlab and Limuru legs — both promising to elevate the standard of professional golf in the region.