This Is How Kenyan Queen Naom Wafula Is Sharpening Her Claws Ahead Of Her Debut At The Lucrative Sunshine Ladies Tour

_{Former Kenya 1 Naom Wafula takes part in the ninth leg of the SDT-EAS at Thika Greens on Wednesday which she is also using to step up her training ahead of her debut at the lucrative Sunshine Ladies Tour in South Africa next month. PHOTO/ ABSA BANK KENYA/ IMG}

_{Wafula has hailed Absa Bank Kenya for supporting the SDT-EAS series that is helping local women to turn pro in the sport without travelling to Europe.}

THIKA, Kenya- After indulging in the heavy Christmas festivities, former Kenya One, Naom Wafula is back to action ferociously, with intention to make a huge indelible mark in the golfing world this new season.

She is already inspired with coveted Sunshine Ladies Tour (SLT) card she earned last month after making seven cuts out of eight events in the ongoing Sunshine Development Tour- East Africa Swing (SDT-EAS) whose ninth leg, ongoing at the Thika Greens Golf Resort, she is using to step up training ahead of her debut at the SLT.

Ahead of her appearance in the ten-legged SLT series whose 2026 opening circuit is set for Humewood, Port Elizabeth in South Africa on February 4-6, with a whooping R1.3 million (Sh 10.2 Million) prize money on offer, Wafula has thanked Absa Bank Kenya for coming on board to support the ninth leg of the SDT-EAS at Thika Greens this week and the grand finale next week at the Karen Golf and Country Club.

“We are grateful for this support because SDT-EAS offers us ladies that rare platform to turn professional. Initially, we had to travel outside, mostly to Europe, to declare our pro status but now the chance is right here at home. So, encourage many women to seize the opportunity to turn pro as it lasts,” Wafula told Standard Sports.

_{Former Kenya 1 Naom Wafula takes part in the ninth leg of the SDT-EAS at Thika Greens on Wednesday which she is also using to step up her training ahead of her debut at the lucrative Sunshine Ladies Tour in South Africa next month. PHOTO/ ABSA BANK KENYA/ IMG}

Wafula’s sentiments have been corroborated by Absa Bank Kenya, Mt. Kenya Regional Manager Timothy Kosgei who stated:” We are happy that Wafula is among the players who are standing a chance to benefit from our Sh 4 million sponsorship which caters for the two tournaments logistics as well as the prize monies.

“Additionally, we have set aside Sh 3 million for leverage on customer engagements and activities.

“We are supporting these events as part of our policy which is to promote sports at the grassroots. The tournaments offer golfers opportunities to showcase their talents as they battle for the coveted Sunshine Tour and Sunshine Ladies Tour slots.

“To us, it’s all about supporting sporting opportunities that are available to local players and help them realise their dreams of playing on big international arenas. We urge players to be disciplined, resilient and cultivate hard work to make their potential in the game come true.”

While preparing for her debut at the SLT next month, Wafula has been waking up at 5am daily at her lush, posh and serene Vipingo Ridge base in Kilifi County.

She then heads to the gym 45 minutes later to strengthen her muscles before spending the rest of the day on the championship golf course to work on her short game.

“As a pro that’s where the devil lies (short game). When you perfect your putts and swing you definitely save strokes.

“In as much as long game is important, but short game is everything on the course, master it and you win the tournament,” noted Wafula who ended Round 1 of the SDT-EAS at Thika Greens on Wednesday on five over par 77.

_{Former Kenya 1 Naom Wafula takes part in the ninth leg of the SDT-EAS at Thika Greens on Wednesday which she is also using to step up her training ahead of her debut at the lucrative Sunshine Ladies Tour in South Africa next month. PHOTO/ ABSA BANK KENYA/ IMG}

While explaining the secret that saw her nestle the coveted SLT card to become not only the first Kenyan lady but the entire East Africa to qualify for the prestigious global event, Wafula admitted: “It all boils down to hard work. At Vipingo, I have no social life because I have to train over and over to be at par with men whom I’m competing with in the SDT-EAS series. If you blink you are out.”

Wafula is happy that her turning pro last season to play in the SDT-EAS series is gradually inspiring many ladies to join the professional ranks in the sport, with the latest move made by Joyce Wanjiru of Kiambu Golf Club who made her debut in the circuit at Thika Greens on Wednesday as a pro.

“I’m happy that Wanjiru has finally boarded the train, before I was all alone up here battling the men as a pro. But now we are two. My prediction is that at the end of the year we will be ten and will probably be having our own prize money away from the men,” said Wafula who has hailed SDT-EAS for not only giving ladies the needed exposure, but a rare chance to turn professional.

And what is her target at the SLT series this season?

“I want to give it my best shot. I want to gain lots of experience and exposure. I want to go there and lift Kenya’s name high. I want to put the entire East Africa on the global map. I want to lift the black women community out there, because we will only be less than five black ladies in the entire tour.

“I want my participation out there to be a motivation and inspiration to other girls, to show them that they too can reach these lofty heights of the sport. I want the upcoming junior players to know that this game has amazing opportunities for them to exploit,” said Wafula.

Wafula said she is confident to make her SDT-EAS eighth cut at Thika Greens on Thursday. The tournament titled Absa Invitational Series has attracted 82 players including 62 pros and 20 elite amateurs. Kenya has the highest contingent of 55 players and Uganda and Rwanda 10, Nigeria four, Tanzania and Zimbabwe two while Malawi, Burundi, Ghana and Senegal have a player each.

_{Former Kenya 1 Naom Wafula takes part in the ninth leg of the SDT-EAS at Thika Greens on Wednesday which she is also using to step up her training ahead of her debut at the lucrative Sunshine Ladies Tour in South Africa next month. PHOTO/ ABSA BANK KENYA/ IMG}

SDT-EAS Thika Greens Wednesday Selected Leaderboard

1-Dismas Indiza – five under par 67 (-5/67)

2.Mutahi Kibugu-                                -3/69

2. Taimur Malik-                                  -3/69

2. Willy Deus Kitata (Uganda)             -3/69

5. Greg Snow                                    -2/70

5. Mohit Mediratta                              -2/70

5. Visitor Mpwanya (Zimbabwe)         -2/70

5. David Wakhu                                 -2/70

31. Naom Wafula                               +5/77