Rwandese hard hitter Celestin Nsanzuwera is the winner of the Sunshine Development Tour (SDT) East Africa Swing Qualifying School whose curtains came down at the Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort in Naivasha.
The inform Kigali Golf Resorts and Villas player fired two under par 69, for a total four rounds of four under par 280, to dislodge Kenya’s John Lejirma of Royal Nairobi Golf Club, who had opened the finale on a four-shot lead, from the top.
Lejirma was shaky on the nervy final day, carding +6/77 to close the Q- Q-School on a total four rounds of level par 284.
Three golfers, Mike Kisia of Railway, home player Jastas Madoya and Isaiah Otuke of Vet Lab, had to proceed for sudden death play-off to determine positions nine and 10, which were eventually clinched by the first two in that order.
Top 10 finishers in the tournament punched tickets to the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School Final Stage set for Heron Banks Golf and River Resort in Johannesburg, South Africa, on April 8-11, 2025.
The 10 East Africans will battle for the available 20 Sunshine Tour tickets in South Africa next week against a similar number of golfers from the South Africa Swing and other invited players across the globe.
At the same time, the sole ladies’ ticket to the Sunshine Ladies Tour was clinched by the top lady finisher in the tournament, Joyce Wanjiru of Kiambu Golf Club, who fired +28/312 in the four rounds.
Wanjiru and Kellie Gachaga of Muthaiga were the only ladies who went past the projected cut in the championship that stood at +18.
While basking in glory, Nsanzuwera, who cherished his first ever victory on Kenyan soil, stated: “I’m feeling excited. I’m so thrilled, both for my country, our players and my sponsors. I feel so nice. I can’t explain it. I’m happy about that. I hope I will continue with this good show in South Africa next week.”
Nsanzuwera explained that he is going to stick to the same game plan in Johannesburg, saying: “I’m not going to change anything, because this formula is already working.”
The Rwandese hinted that being calm and sticking to his game plan made him close in on Lejirma in the last two days.
“He (Lejirma) was the one under pressure, since he was leading. It’s always difficult to maintain number one than to be number one,” he highlighted.
Lejirma admitted that it was not his day on the cutthroat final day as he was undecided and very shaky, especially in the front nine.
“Some of the bogeys I got there demoralized me. I was also tired. But congratulations to Celestin for emerging champion. He was wonderful and solid in the last two days,” Lejirma said.
When asked how he is going to prepare for the final qualifiers in South Africa, Lejirma stated: “Going back to the drawing board, I’m going to work on my mental strength. That’s where the problem is. Other departments like the putts and the swings are all in order.”
The SDT East Africa Swing Final 10 to South Africa
Celestin Nsanzuwera (Rwanda) -4/280
John Lejirma par/284
Samuel Njoroge +4/288
Dismas Indiza +4/288
Greg Snow +4/288
Edwin Mudanyi +5/289
Njoroge Kibugu +9/293
Simon Ngige +10/294
Mike Kisia +11/295
Jastas Madoya +11/295
Players who have qualified for the Sunshine Development Tour- East Africa Swing Series
John Lejirma (a)- Royal
Celestin Nsanzuwera (Rwanda) -Kigali Golf Resorts
Dismas Indiza- Kakamega
Greg Snow- Muthaiga
Edwin Mudanyi- Karen
Samuel Chege- Railway
Jastas Asena Madoya- Great Rift
Ooko Erick Obura- Golf Park
Daniel Nduva- Nyali
Njoroge Kibugu- Windsor
Simon Ngige- Kiambu
Mike Kisia-Kenya Railway
Isaiah Otuke- Vet Lab
Hitayezu Jean D’Amour (a) Rwanda -Golf Park
Mohit Mediratta- Sigona
Michael Karanga (a)- Windsor
Jeff Kubwa- Royal
David Wakhu- Golf Park
Mutahi Kibugu- Nyeri
William Odek (a)- Nyali
Dennis Saikwa- Golf Park
22. Simon Njogu- Great Rift
Abraham Galgalo- Golf Park
Nuru Mollel (TZ)- Arusha Gymkhana
Marvin Kibirige (Uganda)- Mary Louise Memorial
Sullivan Muthugia- Ruiru
Daniel Kiragu (a)- Muthaiga
Sammy Mulama (a)- Golf Park
Isaac Wanyeche (TZ)- Kiligof Arusha
C.J Wangai- Sigona
Rafael Leming’ani (a) – Golf Park
Shem Orwenyo- Vet Lab
Krish Shah Beiju (a) – Vet Lab
Tony Omuli- Golf Park
35. Matthew Wahome – Nyali
36. Alfred Nandwa- Kenya Railway
37.John Karichu- Limuru
38. Rizwan Charania- Gogolf Academy
39. George Felix- Kenya Railway
Johnny Limb- Karen
John Timbe (a)- Nyali
Antony Irungu- Muthaiga
Josphat Rono (a)- Golf Park
Felix Dusabe (a) Rwanda- Golf Park
Ajay Shah- Windsor
Jacob Okello- Kenya Railway
Nsabimana Aloys (Rwanda)- Kigali Golf Resorts
Eugine Wafula (a) – Muthaiga
Andrew Chelogoi- Eldoret Club
Richard Ainley- Nakuru
Ross Valentine- Karen
Robinson Owiti- Vet Lab
James Muigai- N/A
Alain Niyonkuru (a) Rwanda- Golf Park
Kevin Anyien (a) – Golf Park
Joseph Karanja- Golf Park
Hesbon Kutwa -Royal
Dickson Barasa (a)- Nyali
Kalamu Choyo (a)- Nyali
Nelson Simwa – Vet Lab
George TheMburu (a)- Vet Lab
Salum Nkurunziza (a) Burundi- Bunjumbura Golf Week
Shileen Nanji- Nakuru
Peter K. Ndungu (a) – Royal
Ashley Awuor-
Jacquelyne Walter- N/A
Agnes Nyakio- Kenya Railway
Margaret Njoki – Golf Park
Joyce Wanjiru- Kiambu
Kellie Gachaga – Muthaiga
Ochieng Oyugi
| Apr 03, 2025