Top Golf Players Assemble for Lakowe Classic Opener

Nigeria’s leading professional golfers are set to return to competitive action on the local scene as the 2026 Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic will tee off on Monday, September 28, at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Course in Lagos.

After a lengthy lull in major professional golf events on the domestic calendar, the opening phase of the Classic, themed “Nigeria Closed,” will bring together some of the country’s most accomplished players for three days of intense competition with the support of Oando Plc.

Leading the field are former Lakowe winner Francis Epe, alongside Gift Willy, Kamalu Bako, Mohammed Muazu and Tajudeen Ajayi, among other top Nigerian professionals expected to battle for honours on one of the country’s most demanding courses.

Top female professionals and seniors listed for the opener, include; Bola Mustapha and Rachael Danjuma (female pros), Kingsley Oparakwu, Stanley Omenuko, Liman Mohammad and Lateef Lasisi.( for seniors).

The Nigeria Closed, scheduled from September 28 to 30, will be played over 56 holes, with a ₦30million prize purse providing an added incentive for the players returning to the domestic circuit.

For Gift Willy, the tournament offers more than the opportunity to compete for a major purse. He believes the two-phase structure of this year’s Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic gives Nigerian professionals an important platform to rediscover their competitive rhythm.

“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.

“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,” Willy said.

The championship is expected to provide an early indication of form among Nigeria’s leading professionals, particularly with the second and more international phase of the event following almost immediately.

Lakowe Lakes Golf Course Manager, Femi Olagbenro, said considerable investment has gone into preparing the facility for the two tournaments, with management determined to provide conditions worthy of the quality of players expected.

“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.

“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 2–4. Listed on the Sunshine Development Tour, the concluding tournament will feature an international field competing for a $50,000 purse, while outstanding performances will also count towards World Golf Ranking points.

The international phase is expected to attract leading professionals from across Africa, adding another dimension to a tournament that is increasingly positioning Lakowe Lakes as an important destination for elite professional golf.

With ₦30 million at stake in the opening event, followed by a $50,000 international contest and valuable ranking points just days later, the 2026 Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic promises a compelling stretch of competitive golf — and, more importantly, a welcome return to action for Nigeria’s professional players.