Vipingo Ridge's Naom Wafula during the Absa Invitational Series at Thika Greens/HANDOUTThe Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing continues on Monday at Karen Country Club, with Kenyan golfing star Naomi Wafula among the leading entrants. The event, part of the Absa-sponsored series, offers a crucial platform for players to sharpen their skills.
Wafula, who holds a Sunshine Ladies Tour card, has used previous legs of the Tour to hone her game. Her preparation now revolves around fitness, recovery, mental conditioning, and deliberate practice, ensuring she is ready to compete at the highest level.
“My preparation is very different now. Everything matters—fitness, recovery, mental work,” Wafula said. “I’m excited to test myself and keep improving.”
The Karen event is the final regular leg of the 2025/26 Sunshine Development Tour, featuring 113 players from 11 countries, including 71 professionals, 37 elite amateurs, and eight juniors, highlighting the Tour’s inclusive structure.
Kenyan golfers dominate the field with 86 entries, led by Order of Merit leader Njoroge Kibugu, while Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Ghana, Senegal, Malawi, and India provide strong international competition.
Wafula will compete alongside fellow female professionals Joyce Wanjiru, Kellie Gachaga, Margaret Njoki, and Angel Eaton of Tanzania, all vying within the mixed field.
“Playing in these mixed tournaments makes you tougher. You learn quickly where your game really is,” Wafula said.
Her previous Sunshine Development Tour performances have been impressive, including a high Order of Merit ranking and a historic victory at the Kiambu Open, where she became the first woman to claim prize money in the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship series.
Absa Bank Kenya, sponsoring the last two legs of the Tour (Karen and last week's edition at Thika Greens), has emphasised its commitment to growing women’s golf.
Absa’s Mount Kenya Regional Manager, Timothy Kosgey, said, “We are proud to support our professional players and see women position themselves prominently in this male-dominated sport. Supporting these players helps grow golf and inspires the next generation.”
The Karen leg carries additional significance as players chase Sunshine Development Tour points, Official World Golf Ranking points, while those in the top 30 will advance to the continental playoffs in South Africa, leading to the final Sunshine Tour Qualifying events where full Sunshine Tour cards are on offer.
Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing Tournament Director David Kihara said, “We are heading into Karen with a very strong and diverse field and everything to play for. Karen Country Club will test every part of a player’s game, and we expect a very tight contest.”
With Absa’s backing, a strong field, and a Sunshine Tour card in hand, Wafula hopes to make a mark while building consistency and competitive edge ahead of the South African Tour.
“Karen is another chance to measure myself and keep improving,” she said. “I hope to inspire other girls and show that Kenyan women can compete professionally.”
The Karen leg offers a Sh2 million prize purse and ranking points that count toward qualification for the 2026 Magical Kenya Open.
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