
The sixth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour -East Africa Swing, which will take place from October 13 to 15 at the Royal Nairobi, has attracted over 100 African golfers.
The
tournament will be played over 54 holes, with a cut set for the top 30 and ties
after the Second Round.
Players will
fight for a Sh2 million prize and global ranking points,
which count towards progression into larger international tournaments.
The Tour,
which teed off in March 2025 with the Q-School, has already hosted successful
events in Kenya (Thika, Ruiru, Nyali and Diani) and in Rwanda (Kigali
Golf Resort & Villas).
It continues
to attract growing fields of both male and female, professional and elite
amateur golfers from across Africa, making it a unique platform for talent
development in the region.
East Africa
Breweries Limited’s premium spirits brand, Johnnie Walker, has committed to
supporting the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing.
The
sponsorship comes at a time when the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa
Swing is gaining strong momentum, attracting golfers from across the continent
and beyond and providing them with the chance to earn Official World Golf
Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking points. This makes it one of the
most important golf platforms ever created for East African players.
Johnnie
Walker has a long history of supporting golf, having been part of events such
as the Magical Kenya Open, the Magical Kenya Ladies Open, and the Johnnie
Walker Golf Series.
Speaking
while presenting the sponsorship, Jean Okech, Head of Marketing Spirits at
EABL, said the brand was proud to back the Tour as it aligns with its wider
objectives:
“Johnnie
Walker has always found a natural home in golf because the sport attracts a
community of like-minded individuals who appreciate craft, resilience, and
progress, values that also define our brand. Through this sponsorship, we want
to continue creating meaningful spaces where our consumers can interact with
our brand, while also opening doors for talent across the region.
Importantly,
we are also committed to inclusion and diversity, which is why we are proud to
support the participation of women golfers in this Tour. We believe this
partnership will inspire more aspiring golfers to take up the sport and
encourage regional players to dream bigger.”
Charles
Gacheru, Promoter of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing,
welcomed the sponsorship.
“This
support from Johnnie Walker is a major boost not just for the Tour but for golf
in East Africa. It shows the confidence that a global brand has in our vision
to build a pathway for local golfers to reach major events such as the Sunshine
Tour and even the Olympics. With Johnnie Walker’s partnership, we are making
golf more competitive, more inclusive, and more visible across the continent,”
said Gacheru.