A strong field of 82 professional and elite amateur golfers from across Africa is set to battle it out at the Johnnie Walker Classic, the sixth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, scheduled for October 13–15 at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club.
The event, which will feature a KSh2 million prize purse, will be preceded by a Pro-Am tournament presented by Johnnie Walker on Saturday, October 11, before the main 54-hole championship tees off.
Only the top 30 players and ties will advance to the final round.
This year’s Royal edition has received a major boost with Vivo Energy Kenya, the Shell licensee in Kenya, coming on board as a sponsor — a move that underscores its dedication to promoting professional and elite amateur golf in the country.
Vivo Energy Kenya Marketing Manager Yvonne Samantha Achieng said the partnership aligns with the company’s mission to empower communities through sport.
“We are delighted to support the development of professional and elite amateur golf in Kenya. This partnership reflects our strategic objective of investing in sports that continue to shape Kenya’s reputation on the global stage,” she said.
She added that the company hopes to see more Kenyan and East African golfers make their mark in global tournaments such as the Magical Kenya Open and the Olympic Games.
IMG Kenya CEO Peter Gacheru hailed Vivo Energy Kenya’s entry as a strong show of confidence in the Tour’s mission.
“The East Africa Swing has transformed regional golf. With partners like Johnnie Walker and Vivo Energy Kenya, we are not just running tournaments — we are building pathways for African golfers to reach the global stage,” he said.
Tournament Director David Kihara confirmed that preparations are complete, noting that the Royal course is in excellent condition for what promises to be a competitive showdown.
Top names in the draw include Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera, winner of the Kigali leg, and Kenyan stars Njoroge Kibugu, Mutahi Kibugu, Dismas Indiza, David Wakhu, and Greg Snow, alongside regional contenders Visitor Mapwanya (Zimbabwe), Olapade Sunday (Nigeria), and Phillip Kasozi (Uganda).
The women’s field features Naom Wafula, Angel Eaton, Margaret Njoki, Ashley Awuor, Kellie Gachaga, and Madina Hussein, reflecting the Tour’s inclusivity and growing support for women in golf.
The Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing provides a key pathway for African golfers to earn Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, paving the way for advancement to higher-tier tours such as the Sunshine Tour and Big Easy Tour in South Africa.