By OUR CORRESPONDENT
NCBA has announced a KES 2 million sponsorship of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, coming on board to support the upcoming leg set to be played at Royal Nairobi Golf Club from June 7–9, 2026.
The announcement was made during a launch event held at Royal Nairobi Golf Club, marking a significant milestone for both NCBA and the Tour, as the financial institution strengthens its commitment to the development of golf across the region.
With this latest investment, NCBA strengthens what is now one of the most comprehensive golf development pathways in East Africa, supporting the sport from the junior level all the way to the professional ranks alongside its sponsorship for the PGK Equator Tour.
Speaking during the announcement, Nelly Wainaina, NCBA Group Director for Marketing, Communication and Citizenship, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership:
“This partnership with the Sunshine Development Tour is a reinforcement of our commitment and belief in the impact of golf. We have supported the game at the junior, amateur and customer/club level, and today we add our support on the Tours supporting professional golfers in East Africa. More opportunities for golfers to play provides more diversified pathways to transition into the global stage.”
Globally, development tours play a critical role in bridging the gap between amateur and elite professional golf. The Sunshine Development Tour serves as the official feeder system into the Sunshine Tour, offering players the opportunity to earn Official World Golf Ranking points and progress into higher levels of competition.
For many years, East Africa lacked a structured professional pathway, limiting the growth of emerging talent. However, the introduction of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing has begun to address this gap by providing consistent competition and a merit-based progression system.
Commenting on the partnership, David Ndung’u, the Tours Managing Director, welcomed NCBA’s support:
“Having NCBA come on board is a major boost for the Tour and for the players. It shows strong belief in what we are building. This partnership strengthens our ability to deliver high-quality tournaments and, more importantly, to create real opportunities for golfers across the region to grow and compete at the next level.”
Since its inception, the Tour has already begun to produce tangible results, with players such as Njoroge Kibugu, Celestin Nsanzuwera, and Dismas Indiza earning Sunshine Tour cards through their performances. Most recently, Greg Snow also secured his place on the Sunshine Tour, further underlining the effectiveness of the pathway.
The Royal Nairobi leg is expected to attract a strong field of top professional and elite amateur golfers from across the region, all competing for the KES 2 million prize money, world ranking points, Order of Merit points, and an opportunity to advance their careers on the international stage.
