Kenya and East Africa are set for a major golfing boost following the expansion of the prestigious Sunshine Tour into the region with the launch of the Sunshine Development Tour – East African Swing. 

The South Africa-based Sunshine Tour has partnered with IMG Kenya Limited, a leading sports marketing agency, to establish and operationalise this professional development tour, which will provide both professional golfers and elite amateurs (both men and women) with consistent high-level competition.   

The tour will feature between 10 and 15 events annually, all sanctioned under Sunshine Tour standards and offering Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, which are crucial for global player advancement, including Olympic qualification.   

Sunshine Tour Commissioner Thomas Abt hailed the expansion as a “milestone moment” for golf in Africa, noting that the tour will provide a structured pathway for emerging talent to compete on the international stage.   

“The launch of the Sunshine Development Tour is a game-changer for East Africa. It presents unparalleled opportunities for golfers in the region to refine their skills, gain exposure, and earn their place in global golf,” Abt said.   

IMG Kenya CEO Peter Gacheru echoed similar sentiments, stating that the initiative will revolutionise professional and elite amateur golf in the region.   

“It is our conviction that this Tour will offer golfers the much-needed platform to play consistent and competitive golf to an ever-increasing standard, whilst providing them with a steady revenue stream.,” Gacheru stated.   

To tee off the new tour, IMG Kenya and the Sunshine Tour have scheduled a qualifying event (Q-School) from March 30 to April 2, 2025, at Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club.  

The four-day tournament will offer Sh1 million in prize money, an unusual but welcome incentive for professional golfers.   

“Ordinarily Q-Schools don’t offer Prize money, but we made a decision at IMG Kenya to kick start the Tour with an incentive for the professional golfers,” Gacheru noted.   

The Q-School is a mandatory requirement for earning OWGR points, with participants competing for tour cards for the 2025/26 season.  

The top 10 qualifiers will also secure invitations to the Sunshine Tour Final Stage Qualifier in Johannesburg, set for April 8-11, 2025.