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Vet Lab Sports Club hosts 7th leg of Sunshine Development Tour
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.
What you need to know:
- John Lejirmah won the sixth leg at Royal Nairobi Golf Club to become the first amateur to win an in the tour.
- The Kenyan contingent will feature a blend of the country’s top amateurs and experienced professionals.
The chase for cash prize and world rankings points resumes on Sunday when a field of 84 golfers drawn from across Africa and beyond converges on Vet Lab Sports Club for the seventh leg of Sunshine Development Tour (East Africa Swing) .
In the sixth leg held at Royal Nairobi Golf Club, home player and top amateur John Lejirmah beat the country’s youngest professional Njoroge Kibugu in sudden-death play-off, to become the first amateur to win an in the tour.
Lejirmah, who is poised to turn professional after playing in the 2026 Magical Kenya Open, will be out for back-to-back double in the Tour. He is one of the leading players listed to play at Vet Lab tournament, which will be followed immediately by the eighth leg at Limuru Country Club from November 9 to 11.
It promises to be a tough encounter for Lejirmah as the doubleheader, which is backed by Betika as title sponsor, has attracted elite amateurs and professional golfers from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Malawi, India, and the United States of America, all competing for a share of the Sh2 million prize purse on offer in each leg, and crucial Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points.
Besides Lejirmah, the Kenyan contingent will also feature a blend of the country’s top amateurs and experienced professionals, including reigning Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series winner Michael Karanga.
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.
“I’m fresh from winning at my home club, and it’s been a tremendous journey full of lessons, growth, and belief. Every leg of the Sunshine Development Tour has pushed me to become better mentally and technically. My goal heading to Vet lab and Limuru is to maintain the momentum and stay true to my game plan,’’ said Lejirmah.
Karanga, who has consistently made the cut in three of his four Tour appearances so far, said the Sunshine Development Tour has helped creat meaningful opportunities for amateurs to compete and grow.
“This tour has changed the game for us amateurs,” he said. “It has given us a proper platform to test our skills against professionals from across Africa. Playing alongside top pros challenges you to raise our standards, to stay focused, and to believe that you one compete at the highest level,” Karanga said.
On the pro list, other notable Kenyan name inlude Kibugu, senior pro Dismas Indiza who won the Ruiru leg, Greg Snow, Mutahi Kibugu, Edwin Mudanyi, David Wakhu, John Wangai, and Justus Madoya.
The international line-up features Phillip Kasozi, Ronald Otile, Gaita Tadeo Rodell, and Abraham Ainamani from Uganda, Rajab Pembe, Nuru Mollel, Angel Eaton, and Isaac Wanyeche from Tanzania, Celestin Nsanzuwera, Nsabimana Aloys, and Dusabe Felix from Rwanda, Paul Chidale from Malawi, elite junior golfer Mitansh Thacker from India, and Willy Deus from the United States of America.
The women’s line-up features Kenya’s Naomi Wafula, Jacquelyne Walter, Margaret Njoki, Joyce Wanjiru, and Tanzania’s Angel Eaton. The winner will take home Sh400,000, while an amateur winner will only earn Sh130,000 which is the maximum allowed for amateurs.
