Dismas Indiza, Njoroge Kibugu and John Lejirma will headline the Kenyan charge at the third leg of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing that is set for Monday at the Nyali Golf and Country Club in Mombasa.
Indiza secured victory in the Ruiru leg in a dramatic
playoff with Lejirma coming within a hole of winning in the same event. Kibugu
won at Thika Greens.
The 54-hole
competition scheduled for August 4 – 6 has drawn players from across the
continent, with eight African countries represented, including Kenya’s top professionals
and elite amateurs and international entries from Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda,
Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, and Zimbabwe, totalling 87 golfers.
Indiza is confident of putting in a good performance, having played
there often.
“I’ve played at Nyali many times, and it’s always a good
test of ball control, especially with the wind. My game is in good shape and
the goal remains the same: being consistent and staying focused. This tour has
given us something to chase, and I’m motivated heading to the Coast.”
“Ruiru was a learning experience. I had a strong start but
didn’t close it out the way I wanted. Heading into Nyali, I feel sharper
mentally and physically. This tour is giving us amateurs a professional
platform and world ranking opportunities, and I’m fully focused on taking
advantage of that.” Lejirma warned.
The players will compete over three rounds, with a cut made
after 36 holes, leaving the top 30 players and ties to contest the final round.
The swing has a KES 2 million prize purse accompanied by Official World Golf
Ranking (OWGR) points and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points.
Players from Tanzania include Nuru Mollel, Isaac Wanyeche,
Abdalla Yusuf, Isaka Dunia, Fadhyl Nkya, and Rajaan Idd Pembe. Uganda will be
represented by Hussein Bagalana, Abraham Ainamani, and Ronald Rugumayo, while
Rwanda’s contingent features Celestine Nsanzuwera, Dusabe Jules, Felix Dusabe,
Aloys Nsabimana, Ndidabahizi Didas, and Hitayezu Jean D’amour.
Also in action will be Salum Nkurunziza of Burundi, Paul
Chidale of Malawi, Olapade Sunday of Nigeria, and Liberty Gumisaa from Zimbabwe
and Erick Kwame Ligbidi from Ghana.
Also expected to make an impact is Rwanda’s Celestin
Nsanzuwera, who has been one of the standout players this season. He finished
second in Thika and earned significant OWGR points in both events, making him
the highest-ranked non-Kenyan in the field.
Among the ladies, Naom Wafula, who recently turned
professional, will be playing her first competitive round as a pro on home soil.
The Vipingo Ridge golfer is expected to lead the women’s challenge, joined by
amateurs Joyce Wanjiru and Margaret Njoki.
Wafula, a former Kenya Ladies Golf Union Golfer of the Year
and one of the country’s leading female golfing talents, says she is excited
and motivated ahead of her debut.
“This is a dream I’ve worked toward for years,” said Wafula.
“Turning professional was a big decision, but this tour provides the perfect
platform to test myself, compete with top players, and grow my game. I’m
looking forward to the challenge.”
The Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing is the
only golf tour in East and Central Africa offering OWGR points, making it a
vital pathway for players aiming to qualify for global tours and the Olympic
Games.
Following the Nyali leg, attention will shift to Diamonds
Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, which will host the fourth leg from August 9 –
11, completing the Sunshine Tour’s Coast Region double-header.
