Kenya’s John Lejirma finishes second as top lady golfer Joyce Wanjiru punches ticket to the Sunshine Ladies Tour.

Top 10 finishers in the men’s contest proceed for Sunshine Tour Qualifying School Final Stage in South Africa next week.

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 on Thursday.

The in-form Kigali Golf Resort 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- 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 position nine and 10 which was 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.

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.

Nsanzuwera, who cherished his first ever victory on Kenyan soil, said: “I’m feeling excited. I’m so thrilled, both for my country, our players and my sponsors. I really 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 said 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 said.

Lejirma admitted that it was not his day on the cutthroat final day as he was undecided and very shaky, especially on the front nine.

“Some of the bogeys I got there demoralised 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 puts and the swings are all in order.”

The SDT East Africa Swing Final 10 to South Africa 

1.Celestin Nsanzuwera (Rwanda) -4/280

2.John Lejirma par/284

3.Samuel Njoroge +4/288

4.Dismas Indiza +4/288

5.Greg Snow +4/288

6.Edwin Mudanyi +5/289

7.Njoroge Kibugu +9/293

8.Simon Ngige +10/294

9.Mike Kisia +11/295

10.Jastas Madoya +11/295

Players who have qualified for the Sunshine Development Tour- East Africa Swing Series

1.John Lejirma (a)- Royal

2.Celestin Nsanzuwera (Rwanda) -Kigali Golf Resorts

3.Dismas Indiza- Kakamega

4.Greg Snow- Muthaiga 

5.Edwin Mudanyi- Karen

6.Samuel Chege- Railway 

7.Jastas Asena Madoya- Great Rift 

8.Ooko Erick Obura- Golf Park

9.Daniel Nduva- Nyali

10.Njoroge Kibugu- Windsor

11.Simon Ngige- Kiambu

12.Mike Kisia-Kenya Railway

13.Isaiah Otuke- Vet Lab

14.Hitayezu Jean D’Amour (a) Rwanda -Golf Park

15.Mohit Mediratta- Sigona

16.Michael Karanga (a)- Windsor

17.Jeff Kubwa- Royal

18.David Wakhu- Golf Park 

19.Mutahi Kibugu- Nyeri

20.William Odek (a)- Nyali

21.Dennis Saikwa- Golf Park

22.Simon Njogu- Great Rift

23.Abraham Galgalo- Golf Park

24.Nuru  Mollel (TZ)- Arusha Gymkhana

25.Marvin Kibirige  (Uganda)- Mary Louise Memorial

26.Sullivan Muthugia- Ruiru

27.Daniel Kiragu (a)- Muthaiga 

28.Sammy Mulama (a)- Golf Park

29.Isaac Wanyeche (TZ)- Kiligof Arusha

30.C.J Wangai- Sigona

31.Rafael Leming’ani (a) – Golf Park

32.Shem Orwenyo- Vet Lab

33.Krish Shah Beiju (a) – Vet Lab

34.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

40.Johnny Limb- Karen

41.John Timbe (a)- Nyali

42.Antony Irungu- Muthaiga

43.Josphat Rono (a)- Golf Park 

44.Felix Dusabe (a) Rwanda- Golf Park 

45.Ajay Shah- Windsor

46.Jacob Okello- Kenya Railway

47.Nsabimana Aloys (Rwanda)- Kigali Golf Resorts

48.Eugine Wafula (a) – Muthaiga

49.Andrew Chelogoi- Eldoret Club

50.Richard Ainley- Nakuru

51.Ross Valentine- Karen 

52.Robinson Owiti- Vet Lab

53.James  Muigai- N/A

54.Alain Niyonkuru  (a) Rwanda- Golf Park

55.Kevin Anyien (a) – Golf Park

56.Joseph Karanja- Golf Park

57.Hesbon Kutwa -Royal

58.Dickson Barasa (a)- Nyali 

59.Kalamu Choyo (a)- Nyali 

60.Nelson Simwa – Vet Lab

61.George TheMburu (a)- Vet Lab

62.Salum Nkurunziza (a) Burundi- Bunjumbura Golf Week

63.Shileen Nanji- Nakuru

64.Peter K. Ndungu (a) – Royal

65. Ashley Awuor-

66.Jacquelyne Walter- N/A

67.Agnes Nyakio- Kenya Railway 

68.Margaret Njoki – Golf Park

69.Joyce Wanjiru- Kiambu

70.Kellie Gachaga – Muthaiga