Betika invests KSh5m in Kenya Golf’s Sunshine Development Tour
Sponsorship gives local golfers a chance at prize money, world ranking points and a pathway to global tours.
Kenya.- Kenya’s golf scene is set for a major boost after Betika, one of the country’s leading betting firms, pledged KSh5m (€36,000) in sponsorship for the Sunshine Development Tour. The sponsorship will cover two back-to-back tournaments collectively branded as the Betika Masters, giving local golfers a chance to compete for prize money and earn crucial world ranking points.
The announcement was made on October 27, when Betika Group Head of Brand Eric Mwiti officially handed over the sponsorship to Peter Gacheru, CEO of International Management Group (IMG) Kenya, the company that organises and manages the tour. The tournaments take place at Vetlab Sports Club from November 2 to 4, then at Limuru Country Club from November 9 to 11. Each event will be 54 holes, with only the top 30 players and ties advancing after the second round
Mwiti said, according to Capital FM: “Our focus in the sport previously has been on players, and we are currently sponsoring John Lejirma and Michael Karanga, among other players. However, seeing their progress in the competition and the impact it has had on their rankings in the world, we have decided to support the pathway itself so that other players, irrespective of their background, can have the chance to get the same pathway.”
Players will compete for a share of the KSh2m (€14,400) prize purse at each event as well as Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, key stepping stones to higher-tier global tournaments.
Players Lejirma and Karanga have enjoyed continued sponsorship from Betika since the 2024 Magical Kenya Open. Mwiti added: “We believe in unlocking potential at all levels and creating a legacy of opportunity and excellence“.
Earlier this month, Lejirma clinched victory at the sixth leg of the tour at Royal Nairobi Golf Club, winning a sudden-death playoff against Njoroge Kibugu.
Pathway to the Sunshine Tour
The Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing provides a structured platform for professionals and elite amateurs to earn world ranking points alongside Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points, creating pathways to South Africa’s Sunshine Tour and Big Easy Tour.
IMG’s Peter Gacheru welcomed Betika’s support. He said: “We are excited to have Betika on board as they have been in the golf space, sponsoring individual golfers to make the game accessible to all.”
Next on the Sunshine Development Tour calendar is the VetLab Sports Club leg from November 2 to 4, followed by Limuru the following week. Gacheru added: “With the support of partners like Betika, we are not just growing a tournament, but we are also building a pathway for Kenyan golfers to the global stage, irrespective of where they come from.”
