Gacheru tips Kenyan golfers to shine at Magical Kenya Open

Sunshine Development Tour promoter Charles Gacheru believes Kenyan and regional professionals are better prepared to make a strong impact at the February 20-23 Magical Kenya Open, following a historic inaugural season of the SDT.

Speaking at the season finale at Karen Golf and Country Club, Gacheru said the volume and quality of competitive golf played across the SDT has transformed the readiness of local professionals heading into the DP World Tour event at the same venue.

“For the first time in the history of our country, the professionals are going into the Kenya Open having played nearly 15 events,” said Gacheru.

He noted that players have competed for over Sh38 million across the Sunshine Development Tour and the Equator Tour, exposing them to professional-level course setups, officiating and pressure.

Cup pressure peaks as Shabana host Kenya Police in blockbuster quarter-final Football

Upper Hill coach Walgwe unperturbed despite drawing giants in Prescott Cup group phase Rugby

“They are going into the Kenya Open having played for Sh38 million — Sh20 million on the Sunshine Development Tour and Sh18 million on the Equator Tour. The courses were set up at professional standards, with greens running at 13 or 14 on the stimpmeter. We are officiating the game at the same level as the Kenya Open.”

Gacheru said the Tour has begun delivering tangible results, with several players making significant jumps in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) after earning ranking points at home.

“For the first time in 125 years of golf in our region, we had over 10 events offering Official World Golf Ranking points. Players who had around 300-400 points have moved to about 1,600. That shows the impact.”

He believes that preparation will translate into strong performances at Karen, tipping multiple Kenyans and regional golfers to shine.

“I am very hopeful that we will have six or seven Kenyan and regional players make the cut, and not just make the cut, I expect players like Njoroge (Kibugu), Greg Snow, Ronald Rugumayo (Uganda) and Celestin Nsanzuwera (Rwanda) to compete strongly. I expect Njoroge to finish in the top 10 of the Kenya Open.”

Gacheru emphasised the broader significance of the Tour in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic pathway, noting that qualification for the LA 2028 Games is based entirely on world rankings.

“Our target is to get players like Celestin and Ronald into the top 400 in the world so they can have a shot at LA 2028. We have a long way to go, but the foundation is now in place.”

He highlighted the importance of sponsors and stakeholders in sustaining the Tour.

“Without sponsors, we cannot do anything. They are the lifeline of the Tour and the next lifeline of the players. They are supporting the next generation of golfers in our country.”

His sentiments were echoed by Absa Bank's Head of Brand and Marketing, Peter Waweru, who observed that corporate support enables young athletes to grow sustainably.

“When we see the story of young and upcoming golfers, we believe in those stories and we are supporting them,” he said.

Sponsorship, he said, helps athletes focus on performance rather than finances.

“Sponsorship is key. Without sponsors, we cannot do anything,” he said, adding that support goes beyond competition and into training, tournament access and travel, helping local and regional golfers to compete on the global stage.