The Sunshine Development Tour is set to stage its inaugural West African tournament, the Lakowe Lakes Classic, at Lakowe Lakes Golf Club in Lagos, Nigeria, from October 2 to 4. This three-day event marks a significant milestone for the tour as it expands its reach into West Africa. A total of 139 golfers, comprising 115 professionals and 24 amateurs, will compete in the tournament, representing ten countries across Africa and beyond.
The field includes a substantial number of Nigerian players, with 105 competitors led by Francis Epe, the winner of the Sunshine Development Tour West Africa Qualifying School. Ghana will be represented by 21 golfers, while Kenya, Ivory Coast, and other nations will have three or fewer participants. Canada, Cameroon, Rwanda, Uganda, Togo, and Zimbabwe will each have a single entrant in the tournament. The diverse participation underscores the tour's growing popularity and its efforts to provide competitive opportunities for golfers across the continent.
The Lakowe Lakes Classic will offer a US$50,000 prize fund, and competitors will earn Official World Golf Ranking points, World Amateur Golf Ranking points, and Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points. This significant prize fund and ranking points are expected to attract top talent from across Africa and beyond. The tournament's emphasis on providing a platform for both seasoned professionals and emerging amateurs to gain experience aligns with the tour's broader objectives.
Tour CEO David Ndungu has described the Lakowe Lakes Classic as a "milestone" that reflects strong player interest and the tour's ambition to broaden competitive opportunities across the continent. The event builds on the 2026 East Africa Swing, offering additional platforms for golfers to gain experience and compete at a high level. Ndungu's comments highlight the tour's commitment to expanding its reach and providing more opportunities for African golfers.
The Kenyan contingent at the tournament includes notable golfers such as Jastas Madoya, Daniel Nduva, and Andrew Chelogoi. Other participants, such as Rwanda's Celestin Nsanzuwera and Uganda's Ronald Rugumayo, will also be competing in the event. The tournament features several players who have recently competed in Sunshine Development Tour events, such as Godwin Okoko and Sunday Olapade, highlighting continuity between the tour's East and West African legs.
The Lakowe Lakes Classic also underscores the tour's growing emphasis on women's participation, with five female golfers part of the lineup. This development is in line with the tour's efforts to promote inclusivity and provide opportunities for female golfers to compete at a high level. The participation of female golfers in the tournament is a welcome development and reflects the tour's commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion.
As the Sunshine Development Tour continues to expand its reach across Africa, the Lakowe Lakes Classic is set to provide a significant platform for golfers to compete and gain experience. With its diverse field, significant prize fund, and emphasis on promoting inclusivity, the tournament is expected to be a major highlight of the African golfing calendar. The tour's efforts to provide competitive opportunities for golfers across the continent are expected to yield positive results in the years to come.
Key points
- The Sunshine Development Tour's West African event features 139 golfers from ten nations competing for a US$50,000 purse at Lakowe Lakes Golf Club in Lagos, Nigeria.
- The tournament marks a significant milestone for the tour as it expands its reach into West Africa and provides a platform for both seasoned professionals and emerging amateurs to gain experience.
- The event underscores the tour's growing emphasis on women's participation, with five female golfers part of the lineup.
