Kenya's top lady golfer Joyce Wanjiru competes in a tournament at Royal Nairobi Club in 2025. Wanjiru has turned professional.
Joyce Wanjiru has become the second lady golfer in Kenya to turn professional, following in the footsteps of Naomi Wafula.
After an amateur career spanning 17 years, Kiambu Golf Club player Wanjiru, who was Kenya’s number one amateur lady golfer, has joined the paid ranks.
Her entry to the pro ranks was announced by the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) Chairman, John Wangai, on Monday in Nairobi.
“PGK is proud to officially welcome Joyce Wanjiru Njuguini into its professional ranks, marking a historic milestone as she becomes the second lady golfer in Kenya to turn professional and join PGK, alongside Naomi Wafula,” Wangai said in a statement.
“As Wanjiru transitions into the professional ranks, PGK celebrates not only her achievements, but also the inspiration her journey provides. Her entry into professional golf signals renewed hope and opportunity for more women golfers to take up the challenge, compete at elite levels, and showcase their prowess on the course,” Wangai added.
To turn pro, players must meet stringent conditions, and apply to PGK for approval.
Powerful story of resilience
“I have decided to join my sister Naomi in the professional ranks. I will still continue contributing to the game by coaching my juniors in my free time,” Wanjiru said on Tuesday while reacting to the news..
She thanked PGK for accommodating lady golfers, and encouraging them to turn pro.
She said she will continue playing in the PGK Tour to further her career as she sets her sights on competing internationally. Because Kenya does not have a professional golf body for ladies aspiring to be professionals, she has been playing in the PGK, the local professional body for male golfers.
Kenya's top lady golfer Joyce Wanjiru competes in a tournament at Royal Nairobi Club in 2025. Wanjiru has turned professional.
Wanjiru’s journey to the professional stage is a powerful story of passion, resilience, and excellence. She was introduced to the game in 2009 as a caddy at Kiambu Golf Club.
A caddy is an assistant who carries a player's clubs, manages equipment, and provides crucial course guidance, including yardages, club selection advice, and strategic insights, helping the player focus and perform better.
In 2010, she moved to Muthaiga Golf Club, also as a caddy. It was a major step towards becoming an active player. Her amateur playing career took off in 2011, when she became a full member of Kiambu Golf Club.
Record for best performance
Through discipline and consistent improvement, Wanjiru rose rapidly through the ranks, earning her first national team call-up in 2015 to represent Kenya at the East Africa Challenge Trophy in Malawi, just four years after becoming a club member.
Since then, she has represented Kenya in tournaments in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mexico, and Ghana, gaining invaluable experience. In 2025, she steered Kenya women’s team to victory in the East and Central Africa Challenge Trophy at the Great Rift Valley Golf Resort.
Until Monday, Wanjiru was ranked 745th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
Besides achieving top ranking in the WAGR, the 37-year-old Wanjiru, who attended Riabai Primary School and Riabai Secondary School in Kiambu County, holds record for the best performance among ladies at Nakuru Golf Club of four under par 69.
Nationally, Wanjiru has won many events. In 2025, she won seven out of 13 national events she competed in, and currently leads the local ladies’ golfer of the year rankings with 129 points.
Besides playing in the Kenya Ladies Golf Union Circuit, Wanjiru has over the past two years competed against men in the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC).
Kenya's top lady golfer Joyce Wanjiru competes in a tournament at Royal Nairobi Club in 2025. Wanjiru has turned professional.
She says competing in the series gave her invaluable experience.
“Beyond competing in the KAGC, I am passionate about giving back to the game that has transformed my life. During my free time, I will continue coaching junior golfers at my home club in Kiambu. I have been training more than 30 juniors. Watching them grow in confidence and skill gives me immense fulfilment,” she said.
Meanwhile, Wangai said the PGK remains committed to supporting and growing women’s professional golf in Kenya and believes Wanjiru’s milestone will encourage more ladies to turn professional.
