Nation Media Group (NMG) and the Sunshine Development Tour (SDT) have partnered to support the growth and visibility of professional golf development in East Africa.

The partnership brings together NMG’s extensive regional media reach and the Sunshine Development Tour’s growing platform for developing and showcasing professional golf talent across the region.

As a regional media partner, NMG will support increased visibility of the Tour, its events and the golfers competing across the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing.

The partnership comes as the Tour builds on a strong first season, during which it established itself as an important pathway for golfers seeking to progress to higher levels of professional competition.

Among the Tour’s most significant achievements has been the progression of several players to the Sunshine Tour. Njoroge Kibugu, Dismas Indiza, Celestin Nsanzuwera and Greg Snow all earned Sunshine Tour playing rights following their performances through the Sunshine Development Tour pathway.

The Tour also delivered a landmark moment for women’s golf when Naom Wafula secured a full playing card on the Sunshine Ladies Tour, becoming the first Kenyan and East African woman to achieve the feat through the development pathway.

Kibugu and Wafula’s achievements were particularly significant, with both becoming the first Kenyan and East African golfers to secure full playing cards on the Sunshine Tour and Sunshine Ladies Tour respectively.

Beyond the tour cards, the SDT has provided a platform for golfers to gain regular competitive experience, earn Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, and compete against players from across Africa.

The Tour has also continued to see golfers transition into the professional ranks, providing a structured competitive environment for players seeking to make the move from amateur golf into professional competition.

Speaking on the partnership, NMG Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Geoffrey Odundo, reiterated NMG’s commitment to building the game of golf, having run the Nation Classic Golf Series for 41 years. Mr. Odundo said that through the partnership, NMG will amplify the Sunshine Development Tour across its various platforms, showcase its impact and help demystify the perception that golf is a sport for a chosen few, encouraging more Kenyans to take up the sport.

“We will leverage our presence and reach across East Africa to shine a light on the Sunshine Development Tour, highlight its impact and most importantly, bring the game closer to more Kenyans. We believe golf should be accessible to everyone, and through this partnership, we will play our part in making that a reality.”

On his part, David Ndungu, CEO, Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, welcomed the partnership, saying: “We are delighted to partner with Nation Media Group and appreciate their continued support of the Sunshine Development Tour. NMG’s reach across East Africa makes this a natural fit for us as we continue to build visibility around professional golf and the opportunities available to golfers through the East Africa Swing.”

He added: “The progress we have seen since launching the Tour demonstrates what is possible when golfers are given consistent opportunities to compete and develop. We have seen players earn Sunshine Tour and Sunshine Ladies Tour cards, while others have made the transition into professional golf. Our ambition is to continue creating that pathway and, through partnerships such as this, ensure more people get to see and understand these journeys.”

The partnership will also provide an opportunity to tell more of the stories emerging from the Tour, including the journeys of golfers competing across the region, their progression within professional golf and the wider development of the sport in East Africa.

The Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing features tournaments across the region, bringing together professional and amateur golfers from East Africa and beyond.