Nigeria’s leading professional golfers are set to return to competitive action on home soil as the 2026 Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic gets underway on Monday, September 28, at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Course in Lagos.
The tournament marks a major return for professional golf on the domestic calendar following a lengthy period without major events, with the opening phase, tagged the “Nigeria Closed,” bringing together some of the country’s finest golfers for three days of intense competition.
Former Lakowe winner Francis Epe leads a strong field that also includes Gift Willy, Kamalu Bako, Mohammed Muazu and Tajudeen Ajayi, with the professionals expected to battle for honours on the challenging Lakowe Lakes layout.
The competition will also feature leading female professionals and senior players, including Bola Mustapha and Rachael Danjuma in the women’s category, while Kingsley Oparakwu, Stanley Omenuko, Liman Mohammad and Lateef Lasisi are among the senior golfers listed for the event.
The Nigeria Closed will run from September 28 to 30 and will be played over 56 holes, with a ₦30 million prize purse providing additional motivation for the players as they return to the domestic circuit.
For Willy, however, the tournament represents more than a chance to compete for a major financial reward. He believes the two-stage structure of the Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic will give Nigerian professionals an opportunity to regain their competitive sharpness ahead of the international phase.
“It is exciting to have an event of this magnitude bringing the professionals together again. The two phases give us an opportunity to get back into competition mode and find our rhythm, especially on a course like Lakowe Lakes, which demands a lot from every aspect of your game,” Willy said.
“Lakowe has hosted some prominent international events over the years, so playing here also gives us the kind of test we need ahead of the international phase of the Classic.”
The Nigeria Closed is expected to provide an early assessment of the form of the country’s leading professionals, particularly with the international phase scheduled to follow shortly after the opening tournament.
Lakowe Lakes Golf Course Manager Femi Olagbenro said significant preparations and investment had gone into getting the facility ready for the two competitions.
“We have made significant investments in getting the course ready for these events. Our team has worked extensively on the playing surfaces and other areas of the facility because we understand the standard required for a championship of this nature,” Olagbenro said.
“The objective is to provide a course that challenges the players while also showcasing the quality of golfing facilities that we have at Lakowe Lakes.”
The Nigeria Closed will serve as the curtain-raiser for the second phase of the Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic, which is scheduled for October 2–4.
The concluding tournament, listed on the Sunshine Development Tour, will feature an international field competing for a $50,000 prize purse, with strong performances also carrying World Golf Ranking points.
Professionals from across Africa are expected to compete in the international phase, adding another layer of competition to an event that continues to strengthen Lakowe Lakes’ profile as a destination for elite professional golf.
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