Naom Wafula set for Sunshine Ladies Tour bow

Kenyan professional golfer Naom Wafula is set to make her debut on the Sunshine Ladies Tour this week in South Africa, marking a historic milestone in her career after earning a playing card to the prestigious continental tour for professional lady golfers.

The card grants her access to this year’s Sunshine Ladies Tour following a consistent and impressive showing at the recently concluded inaugural season on the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing.

Naom left Kenya for South Africa on Sunday, ahead of her debut at the Sunshine Ladies Tour this week where she will feature as the only East African.

She will tee off her Sunshine Ladies Tour journey at the SuperSport Ladies Challenge, scheduled for this week from 4th to 6th February 2026 at Humewood Golf Club. The 54-hole tournament carries a prize purse of Ksh10.4 million and has attracted a field of 56 professional golfers.

The field features players from 15 countries, including South Africa, Canada, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Finland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Czech Republic, Swaziland, United States Virgin Islands and Kenya.

Speaking ahead of her debut, Wafula said she feels ready for the step up, crediting the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing for her preparation and growth.

“I feel well prepared going into my first Sunshine Ladies Tour event. Playing on the Sunshine Development Tour gave me regular competitive golf, exposure to strong fields and helped me understand what is required at the next level. I am excited to test myself and continue learning as I take this next step in my career,” she said.

Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing Chairman, Peter Gacheru said Wafula’s progression reflects the purpose and impact of the Tour.

“Naom’s debut on the Sunshine Ladies Tour is exactly what the Sunshine Development Tour was created to achieve. She earned this opportunity through consistent performance and merit. It is a proud moment for Kenyan and East African golf and a clear demonstration that the pathway we have built is working,” said Gacheru.

Following the SuperSport Ladies Challenge, Wafula is scheduled to compete in several more Sunshine Ladies Tour events, including the NTT Data Ladies Pro Am from 13 – 15 February at Fancourt Montagu, the Standard Bank Ladies Open from March 5-7 at Durbanville Golf Club, and the Jabra Ladies Classic from March 11-13 at Killarney Country Club.

Her season will continue with the Platinum Ladies Open from March 18-20, at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate, the Absa Ladies Invitational from 26 – 28 March at Royal Johannesburg, the Joburg Ladies Open from April 16-19 at Randpark Golf Club, the Investec SA Women’s Open from April  23-26 at Royal Cape Golf Club, and the MCB Ladies Classic from May  1-3 2026.

Wafula’s Sunshine Ladies Tour debut marks another historic step for Kenyan women’s golf and highlights the growing role of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing as a pathway to global professional tours. Naom made history by becoming the first Kenyan golfer to earn a card to play at the Sunshine Ladies Tour.