Kenyan professional Naom Wafula will this week make her debut on South Africa’s Sunshine Ladies Tour, marking a historic milestone after earning a playing card on the continent’s premier professional women’s golf circuit.
The card grants her access to this year’s Sunshine Ladies Tour following an impressive showing at the recently concluded inaugural Sunshine Development Tour -- East Africa Swing.
Wafula made history by becoming the first Kenyan golfer to earn a card to play at the Sunshine Ladies Tour.
She will become the second Kenyan pro to play in the Tour after her aunt and mentor Rose Naliaka, who earned membership to the South African series after playing several pro tournaments in that country in the early 2000s.
She left Kenya for South Africa on Sunday for the Sunshine Ladies Tour, where she will feature as the only East African.
The 27-year-old golfer, who once tried to earn a living by selling chips on the streets of Kitale, will tee off her Sunshine Ladies Tour journey at the SuperSport Ladies Challenge on Wednesday at Humewood Golf Club.
Naomi Wafula follows her tee shot from 10th 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.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
The 54-hole tournament carries a prize purse of R1.3 million (about Sh10.4 million) and has attracted a field of 56 professional golfers.
The field features players from 15 countries, including South Africa, Canada, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Finland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Czech Republic, Swaziland, United States Virgin Islands and Kenya.
Wafula said she feels ready for the step up, crediting the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing for her preparation and growth.
“Playing on the Sunshine Development Tour gave me regular competitive golf, exposure to strong fields and helped me understand what is required at the next level. I am excited to test myself and continue learning as I take this next step in my career,” she said.
Naomi Wafula in action during the Shunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing in Ruiru
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Following the SuperSport Ladies Challenge, Wafula is scheduled to compete in other Sunshine Ladies Tour events, including the NTT Data Ladies Pro Am from February 13-15 at Fancourt Montagu in George, the Standard Bank Ladies Open from March 5-7 at Durbanville Golf Club, and the Jabra Ladies Classic from March 11-13 at Killarney Country Club.
Her season will continue with the Platinum Ladies Open from March 18-20 at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate, the Absa Ladies Invitational from March 26-28 at Royal Johannesburg, the Joburg Ladies Open from April 16-19 at Randpark Golf Club, the Investec SA Women’s Open from April 23-26 April at Royal Cape Golf Club, and the MCB Ladies Classic from May 1-3 May 2026.
Naomi Wafula follows the progress of her tee shot during Kenya Amateur Golf Championship Series Karen Challenge Trphy on October 22, 2023 at Karen Country Club.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Wafula’s Sunshine Ladies Tour debut marks another historic step for Kenyan women’s golf and highlights the growing role of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing as a pathway to global professional tours.
