Top Golfers Set For Lakowe Lakes Classic

Nigeria’s leading professional golfers will return to domestic competition when the 2026 Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic tees off from September 28 to 30 at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Course in Lagos.

The opening phase, tagged Nigeria Closed, will bring together some of the country’s leading professionals for three days of competition, with Oando Plc supporting the event.

Former Lakowe winner Francis Epe headlines the field alongside Gift Willy, Kamalu Bako, Mohammed Muazu and Tajudeen Ajayi, among other top professionals expected to compete for honours on the challenging course.

The tournament 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 competitors listed for the event.

The Nigeria Closed will be played over 56 holes, with a ₦30 million prize purse up for grabs.

For Willy, the tournament represents more than an opportunity to compete for the substantial purse, as he believes the two-phase structure will help Nigerian professionals regain their competitive rhythm after a prolonged break from major domestic events.

“It is exciting to have an event of this magnitude bringing the professionals together again, especially on a course like Lakowe Lakes, which demands a lot from every aspect of your game,” Willy said.

“It has hosted some prominent international events over the years. Playing here also gives us the kind of test we need ahead of the international phase of the Classic.”

The three-day Nigeria Closed is expected to provide an early assessment of the form of the country’s leading professionals before the international phase of the tournament gets underway.

Lakowe Lakes Golf Course Manager, Femi Olagbenro, said the facility had undergone extensive preparations to ensure the course is ready for the two competitions.

“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,” Olagbenro said.

The Nigeria Closed will serve as the curtain-raiser for the second phase of the Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic, scheduled for October 2 to 4.

The concluding event, listed on the Sunshine Development Tour, will attract an international field competing for a $50,000 prize purse, with performances also counting towards World Golf Ranking points.
Professionals from across Africa are expected to participate in the international phase, further raising the profile of the Lakowe Lakes Golf Course as a venue for elite professional competition.

With ₦30 million on offer in the Nigeria Closed, followed by the $50,000 international tournament and valuable ranking points, the 2026 Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic is set to provide Nigerian professionals with a significant stretch of competitive action.