Sunshine Tour final: Nsanzuwera best student as curtains come down on Qualifying School

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 

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