Sunshine Tour Commissioner Thomas Abt has praised Kenya's growing golf ecosystem, citing the country’s potential as a key reason behind expanding the Sunshine Tour into East Africa.
Speaking to the Nation in an exclusive interview during the recently concluded Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing qualifying tournament at the Great Rift Valley Golf Resort (held from March 30 to April 3, 2025), Abt emphasized that Kenya offers much in both amateur and professional golf.
“We thank Kenya so much for hosting us. First of all, wonderful to be here. This is a fantastic region with a strong professional golf footprint. You host the Magical Kenya Open on the DP World Tour, but just below that, the feeder platform is very, very weak. There is nothing,” said Abt.
“So, there's a genuine opportunity from a local perspective to give the young professionals an opportunity to hone their skills competitively and work their way up to be competitive on the main tours.”
Abt said the Sunshine Development Tour’s expansion into East Africa aims to create a clear pathway for players in the region to access professional golf.
“That's the big vision, but also, it's giving our professionals an opportunity to come and play on the Sunshine Tour—that feeder, that pathway all the way through. So, it's an exciting time in professional golf in Kenya.”
Asked about opportunities for juniors, amateurs, pros, and women, Abt said the development tour provides much-needed competitive exposure.
“For juniors and amateurs, it's a platform for them to compete regularly and play against better golfers. You've got that small analogy in the world: 'the big fish in a small pond.' That happens very much in a place like this, where youngsters are competing on the highest level but against themselves.
"Now we're giving them an opportunity to compete against elite amateurs, better golfers, and also against professional golfers who really understand what professional golf is like."
For professionals, the tour provides consistent playing opportunities and a chance to earn a Sunshine Tour card or compete in the South African Development Tour.
“A lot of guys think they're good in this world. When you move to the next level, the pathway is there, and this is what's giving these guys an opportunity to give themselves a chance to play at the highest level.”
Abt emphasised the inclusion of women, who have previously lacked access to professional tournaments in East Africa.
“There are a lot of women playing golf in the world, and it's no different in this part of the world too. It is giving them an opportunity to play consistently in at least 10 tournaments across the tour hosted here. Then they can move on to the Sunshine Ladies Tour in South Africa.”
“From what we understand, there’s no professional golf tournaments for women at all in East Africa. The Sunshine Tour has at least 10 tournaments on their tour. It's an opportunity for these ladies here that are good enough to play professional golf to go on and use the pathway that’s in front of them.”
Abt said a consistent schedule of tournaments would raise the standard of women’s golf in the region.
“The ladies here can perform at the highest level, though at the moment, it’s difficult because they haven't had the opportunity. But with a consistent schedule, they’ll get better and be able to perform.”
Abt noted that Kenya has over 40 golf courses and a robust base of juniors, amateurs, and women golfers. He expressed excitement about reviving the Sunshine Tour's past engagement with the country.
“Kenya is a wonderful country. They've got a heck of a lot of golfers that are good—and that’s all the way through their golf ecosystem. We've hosted tournaments here before and we want to resurrect that. We want to ensure that Kenya is seen as an ally to South Africa in the golfing world.”
He credited IMG Kenya as a key partner in bringing the tour back and fostering professional golf in the region.
“It's been a great partnership that dwindled in the past, but this is a great platform to ensure that we have partnership in this country to take golfers to the next level.”
Abt also mentioned the Papwa Sewgolum Class initiative, launched in South Africa to support 30 underprivileged professional golfers. The program offers mental and physical support, coaching, stipends, and equipment.
“We are speaking to corporate Kenya to ensure they can also identify some players that can go into this particular class and get additional support. The game of golf is a dark and difficult place all by yourself—and if you don't have the money, it's even worse.”
Looking ahead, Abt said the tour aims to host a season of 10 events in East Africa, creating pathways for players to qualify for bigger tours like the Big Easy Tour and Sunshine Tour.
“The long-term plan is very, very bright and incredibly exciting. We would love to host 10 events now and ensure players can earn their Sunshine Tour cards. Eventually, we want to bring back full Sunshine Tour events here in Kenya, allowing elite professionals to compete on Kenyan soil without players having to travel abroad.”
“Further to that, we would like to create a Sunshine Development Tour in West Africa, and North Africa as well.”
Abt also highlighted golf's potential to support Kenya’s tourism sector, noting the tour's media exposure.
“It's absolutely possible. We met with the tourism industry and they were saying golf forms part of the $17 billion industry. On our tour in Kenya, we're going to show highlight packages from 10 or 12 golf courses that will be beamed to over 50 million homes across the continent and the globe.”
“That alone is exciting for tourism—to show not just professional golf, but the beauty of venues like the Great Rift Valley. People will see that Kenya isn't just wildlife and safaris—you can play golf here and live a life of luxury too.”
