-This was a buildup of the East Africa Swing, the Johnnie Walker Classic, which tees off on Monday.
-Ksh. 2 million prize purse is up for grabs by the strong field of 82 professional and elite amateur golfers from across Africa.
-They are battling for share of the prize money, top honors and World ranking points.
-As Rwanda’s Nsanzuwera targets strong finish after recently gaining global experience in Scotland.
MAARUFU MOHAMEED-GOLFNEWSLINKS.
Lady golfer Rose Wanjiru playing off handicap 31), put in a composed and consistent performance to emerge the overall winner with 42 points in Pro-Am of the Sunshine Development Tour-East Africa Swing, in the Johnnie Walker Classic, golf tournament played at Royal Nairobi golf course in Nairobi Kenya at thee weekend.
This was part of the tournament build-up, that attracting a total of 186 players, including 34 professionals and 152 amateurs where Wanjiru finished ahead of the strong field.
The Pro-Am served as both a curtain-raiser and a celebration of community engagement in the sport, giving amateur golfers the unique opportunity to play alongside some of the region’s top professionals.
Fred Kithinzi, playing off handicap 19, was in fine form as well, taking home the men’s title with 40 points, finishing ahead of Lawrence Njue (handicap 13) who finished as the men’s runner-up after carding 38 points.
Betty Maina (handicap 31) produced an equally impressive round to claim the ladies’ crown with 40 points, beating Jinnel Mwangi taking the ladies’ runner-up position with 39 points.
At the same time, Isiah Masinde and Liqing Yang won the First and Second Nine Challenges respectively, after strong performances across their halves of the course.
The long-hitting Fred Mugambi won the men’s longest drive, while professional golfer Naomi Wafula claimed the ladies’ longest drive honors. Kennedy Gachanja showed great precision to take the nearest-to-the-pin prize.
The sixth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour-East Africa Swing, the Johnnie Walker Classic, which tees off on Monday, 13th October, in the highly anticipated event featuring a Ksh. 2 million prize purse.
It will see a strong field of 82 professional and elite amateur golfers from across Africa battle for top honors, World ranking points, and a share of the prize money.
The tournament also marks the first time the Sunshine Development Tour (SDT-EAS) is being staged at Royal Nairobi Golf Club, one of the oldest and most prestigious courses in the region.
Meanwhile, Rwanda’s Celestine Nsanzuwera is targeting a strong finish at the ongoing Johnnie Walker Classic after recently gaining global experience in Scotland.
Nsanzuwera says his recent experience competing on the Tartan Pro Tour in Scotland has strengthened his confidence and sharpened his game as he prepares for the tournament that ends on Wednesday t15th October 2025.
The Kigali-based golfer, who currently leads the Sunshine Development Tour-East Africa Swing Order of Merit with 789 points, made the cut to play in the final round of the Dunnington Classic, a leg of the Scottish-based Tartan Pro Tour, finishing in 24th position with a level-par score of 213 gross (70, 73, 70).
Nsanzuwera described the Scotland experience as an incredible opportunity that challenged every aspect of his game and broadened his understanding of competitive golf at the highest level.
“The Tartan Pro Tour was an incredible experience for me. Playing in Scotland, the home of golf, gave me the chance to compete on classic links-style courses under very challenging weather conditions. It really tested every part of my game, from ball control in the wind to course management and mental strength,” said Nsanzuwera.
He added that interacting with professional golfers from around the world helped him refine his preparation and mental approach.
“I had the opportunity to interact with professional golfers from different parts of the world, which helped me learn new techniques and approaches to preparation,” he noted.
Reflecting on his time abroad, Nsanzuwera said one of the biggest lessons he learned was the need for consistency and adaptability, especially in unpredictable weather conditions.One of the biggest lessons I took away was the importance of consistency and adaptability. The conditions changed quickly, sometimes within a single round, so I had to stay patient and adjust my strategy constantly. Small details like club selection and shot placement make a huge difference at that level. Most importantly, I learned how to stay composed under pressure and trust my process,”said Nsanzuwera.
Nsanzuwera also acknowledged the high level of competition he faced on the Tartan Pro Tour, saying it pushed him to improve his technical precision and competitive mindset.
He added that, “Many of the players there are experienced professionals who have competed on major tours across Europe. Everyone is technically sound and mentally tough, so every stroke counts. It pushed me to raise my own standards and sharpen my competitive mindset.”
Looking ahead to the Johnnie Walker Classic, Nsanzuwera said he feels ready and more confident than ever to challenge for another title following his recent win at the SportsBiz Africa Golf Championship in Kigali.
“Coming back to the Sunshine Development Tour, I feel more prepared and more confident in my abilities. My goal is to apply the lessons I learned overseas and be more consistent throughout each round. I’m aiming for strong finishes, to keep improving my ranking, and ultimately to secure a win or two before the season ends. Playing abroad has strengthened both my game and my mindset. I’ve grown in terms of course management, focus, and handling pressure situations. With the support of local fans and the familiarity of the courses in Kenya, I believe I have a strong chance to compete for another title,” said Nsazuwera.
The Johnnie Walker Classic features top professional and elite amateur golfers from across Africa, including Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Malawi, all vying for world ranking points and a share of the Ksh. 2 million prize purse.
It is being played over 54 holes, with the top 30 players and ties making the cut after round two to compete in the final round.
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