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Amateur gives pros a run for their money as series hots up
Njoroge Kibugu lines up his putt at the 18th hole green during the Sunshine Development Tour at Royal Nairobi Golf Club on October 14, 2025.
What you need to know:
- The seventh leg at the par 72 Vet Lab course follows the sixth leg that concluded at Royal Nairobi Golf Club on Wednesday.
- Amateur golfer John Lejirma won the title in a sudden death play-off against Njoroge Kibugu of Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club.
Action moves to Vet Lab Sports Club in Kabete where golfers are expected to battle it out for another Sh2 million in price money plus world ranking points during the seventh leg of the Sunshine Development Tour.
The event, slated for November 3 to 5, is expected to attract a huge field, including golfers from West Africa who missed the sixth leg action at Royal Nairobi Club, where Sh2 million and world ranking points were also at stake.
The seventh leg at the par 72 Vet Lab course, within the University of Nairobi’s Kabete campus, follows the sixth leg that concluded at Royal Nairobi Golf Club on Wednesday.
John Lejirmah of Royal Nairobi Golf Club Amateur displays his trophy after winning the sixth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour Trophy at Royal Nairobi Golf Club on October 14, 2025.
Amateur golfer John Lejirma won the title, the first time in the series that an amateur was emerging tops. Lejirma won through a sudden death play-off against Njoroge Kibugu, of Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club.
It was not the first time for Lejirmah, Kenya’s top amateur, to be involved in a play-off in the Tour. During the second leg at Ruiru Sports Club, Lejirimah,35, was beaten by senior professional Dismas Indiza in a sudden death play-off.
At Royal, Lejirmah, who enjoyed overwhelming support from members of his home club, went into the final round with a four-shot lead but the advantage was erased as Kibugu mounted a charge with a six-under-par 66 to force a play-off.
Lejirmah eventually sealed victory on the first sudden-death hole at the par four-18th, one of the most challenging hole in the 119-year-old course, where he eventually finished the tournament on 10 under par, same as the 22-year-old Kibugu, formerly of Muthaiga.
Being an amateur, Lejirmah could only earn Sh130,000 plus 210 points towards the Order of Merit.
Njoroge Kibugu follows his tee shot from the 3rd tee on day one of the Johnnie Walker Classic Sunshine Development Tour -- East Africa Swing at Royal Nairobi Golf Club in Nairobi on October 13, 2025.
Kibugu, a professional, took home Sh214,000 and 172 points for finishing second. Uganda’s Tadeo Rodell Gaita and Indiza tied for third on three-under-par, each earning Sh123,000 and 99 points. The Johnnie Walker Classic was sponsored by East African Breweries through its Johnnie Walker brand .
“The Johnnie Walker Classic has once again demonstrated how the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing is transforming golf in our region, providing a professional platform that connects talent across borders, develops new champions, and shines a global spotlight on East African golf,” said Johnnie Walker Senior Shopper Manager Duncan Onuonga on Wednesday said.
