Speaking to Kenyan publication, The Star, tour promoter Charles Gacheru hailed the tour as a game changer for golfers in the region, as it offers an opportunity to progress to bigger tours while accumulating world ranking points. “For years, there was simply no consistent, structured platform for top-level competition in East Africa. Players could only play a handful of events per year, none of which offered official ranking points. That meant no chance to progress to bigger tours, no access to world rankings, and no pathway to the Olympic Games. “Through the Sunshine Tour relationship, the SDT–EAS is the only tour in East Africa that offers world ranking points. That’s game-changing. It gives our players a pathway to the Sunshine Tour, the DP World Tour and potentially even the Olympics,” said Gacheru. Now in its inaugural season, the tour has staged eight events across Kenya and Rwanda. The latest event, the Betika Masters at Limuru Country Club was won by Greg Snow. Gacheru said the impact of the tour is already becoming clear, with players seizing the opportunity to elevate their careers. “Already, the results are evident. In just eight events, a dozen players have climbed more than 1 000 places in the world rankings. Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera, a two-time winner on the Tour is now ranked 1 744th globally, while Njoroge Kibugu, a three-time winner on the Tour, is, 661st. “Our players are no longer locked within local boundaries. If you perform well here, you can earn your place on the Sunshine Tour. From there, the world opens up, including the DP World Tour and other major championships,” said Gacheru.