LIMURU, Kenya – Muthaiga Golf Club professional Greg Snow shot a composed 6-under-par 66 to take a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the Betika Masters at the scenic Limuru Country Club on Sunday, November 9, 2025. The tournament is the eighth leg of the inaugural Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, a critical new platform for the region's professional and elite amateur golfers.

Snow navigated the soft, rain-affected course with precision, carding six birdies against a single bogey on the par-4 7th hole. His performance places him at the top of a competitive 88-player field drawn from across Africa. “It was a solid day. I stuck to my plan, kept the ball on the fairway and gave myself enough chances,” Snow said on Sunday evening. “The course is soft, so you really have to be precise with approach shots. I’m happy with how I putted, and the goal now is just to stay patient and keep the momentum going into Round Two.”

Veteran Indiza and Amateur Star Karanga in Close Pursuit

Tied for second place just one shot behind are two of Kenya’s most compelling golfers: veteran Dismas Indiza and elite amateur Michael Karanga, who both finished with impressive rounds of 5-under-par 67.

Indiza, the 55-year-old long-hitter from Kakamega Sports Club, demonstrated his enduring class with six birdies. A seasoned campaigner with decades of experience, Indiza has won multiple titles on the regional Safari Tour and remains a formidable force in Kenyan golf. His strong start positions him to challenge for another significant title.

Meanwhile, Kiambu Golf Club’s Michael Karanga continues to prove he can compete with seasoned professionals. The 29-year-old, who is Kenya’s top-ranked amateur and has broken into the world’s top 100, recorded six birdies and one bogey. His performance is particularly significant as he aims to transition to the professional ranks. “I started very well and I’m happy with how I played today,” Karanga stated. “Despite the rain, the course was good, and I hit my fairways and made good putts. Tomorrow my focus is on working harder on my putting, especially on the front nine.” Karanga has already secured a spot in the 2026 Magical Kenya Open through his amateur achievements.

The Significance of the Sunshine Development Tour

The Betika Masters at Limuru is part of a KSh 5 million, two-tournament sponsorship by the gaming firm Betika, with each event carrying a KSh 2 million prize purse. Launched in March 2025, the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing is a partnership between the South Africa-based Sunshine Tour and sports marketing agency IMG Kenya. The tour is designed to revolutionize regional golf by providing a consistent and competitive schedule.

Crucially, the tour offers Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points for professionals and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points for amateurs. These points are vital for players seeking entry into higher-tier international events. Furthermore, under a recent agreement with Kenya Open Golf Limited, performances on the tour also count towards the Safari Tour Order of Merit, which is the exclusive pathway for local players to qualify for the prestigious Magical Kenya Open, a DP World Tour event.

Historic Limuru Presents a Stern Test

Established in 1945, the par-72 Limuru Country Club course is renowned for its beauty, set amidst lush tea plantations approximately 25 kilometers from Nairobi. Its first nine holes opened in 1949, with the full 18-hole layout completed in 1952. The course's challenging layout and the current wet conditions demand strategic thinking and precise execution from the players.

The tournament continues on Monday, November 10, with the field competing to make the cut, which includes the top 30 players and ties, who will proceed to the final round on Tuesday. With a packed leaderboard and significant career opportunities at stake, the second round promises intense competition as players vie for position and a share of the prize fund.