Sunshine Tour are pleased with the impact created by its maiden Q-School in Kenya this week, citing the life-changing journey envisioned to catapult Kenyan pros to the apex of global golf. 

This means that professionals in the country can now earn World Ranking points and play at the highest level, depending on their performance in the Sunshine Tour ranks. 

Asked about the just-concluded four-day, 72-hole Strokeplay Sunshine Development Tour Q-School showpiece, which culminated at the Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort, Sunshine Tour Commissioner Thomas Abt remarked: “The Q-School in Kenya has been amazing— I mean, incredibly satisfying in the way it’s been staged.” 

“The level of golf has also been a very big surprise to us. Some have struggled, but at the top of the leaderboard, players have managed under-par scores, so that’s magnificent to see. We are chuffed,” Abt added. 

The Sunshine Tour supremo similarly noted that professionals, juniors as well as women golfers across the continent now have a professional opportunity in a structured environment to explore the highest levels of golf worldwide, thanks to the inaugural Sunshine Development Tour – East African Swing, which will traverse Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. 

The entire field of 70 golfers who participated in the event secured cards to compete in the inaugural Sunshine Development Tour series.

The top 50 (plus ties) received Category One cards, which will allow them to play in every event of the SDT East Africa Swing series, while Category Two players will be considered depending on availability. 

Abt also announced an innovative expansion, reaching beyond East Africa to incorporate North and West Africa. 

“The Sunshine Development Tour is a pathway for pro golfers in Kenya to progress their playing careers to international greatness. We are going to host a Development Tour consisting of 10 events across the country in different golf courses to ensure there is an element of tourism as well,” explained Abt. 

He added that the Development Tour will showcase golf courses around Kenya and produce highlight packages to promote tourism opportunities. 

The Commissioner further stated that the Development Tour will enable the top professional golfers in the country to compete in South Africa against their development counterparts. 

“And once these two different swings come together, the top 12 players from each Swing will be able to secure Sunshine Tour cards, allowing them to consistently play in tournaments.” 

There is now a clear pathway: play well in the SDT, excel in the Sunshine Tour, progress through the HotelPlanner Tour, advance to the DP World Tour and ultimately reach the PGA Tour. Previously, there was nothing like that,” Abt explained. 

Abt noted that the upcoming qualifying school in Johannesburg next week will see the top 20 players from both Swings earn Sunshine Tour cards, marking the beginning of their journey to greatness. 

“It’s now in their hands to achieve. From the juniors’ and elite amateurs’ perspective, this opportunity allows them to compete regularly. In South Africa next week, players will face tough competition but also a significant learning environment,” he said.