The Sunshine Development Tour is expanding its competitive platform into West Africa with the inaugural Lakowe Lakes Classic, teeing off at Lakowe Lakes Golf Club in Lagos, Nigeria from October 2 to 4. The three-day tournament brings together 139 players from 10 countries, featuring a strong field of 115 professionals and 24 amateurs. The event offers a US$50,000 prize fund and valuable ranking points.
The field comprises players from Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Togo, Canada, Cameroon, Rwanda, and Uganda. Nigeria has the largest representation with 105 players, including Francis Epe, who won the Sunshine Development Tour West Africa Qualifying School. Ghana follows with 21 players, while Ivory Coast and Kenya have three players each. Zimbabwe, Togo, Canada, Cameroon, Rwanda, and Uganda are each represented by one player.
The tournament also features five female golfers, highlighting the growing participation of women in the Sunshine Development Tour. Among the international professionals in the field are Kenya's Jastas Madoya, Daniel Nduva, and Andrew Chelogoi, Rwanda's Celestin Nsanzuwera, and Uganda's Ronald Rugumayo. A strong group of Nigerian and Ghanaian professionals will also be competing.
The Lakowe Lakes Classic represents another step in the Tour's ambition to provide competitive opportunities for golfers across Africa. The event extends the Tour's footprint beyond its established East African events, creating a platform for players in West Africa to compete alongside golfers from across the continent. This move demonstrates the Tour's commitment to promoting golf development in the region.
David Ndungu, CEO of the Sunshine Development Tour, expressed his excitement about the tournament, citing it as an important milestone for the Tour's expansion into West Africa. He noted that the response from players has been encouraging, with 139 golfers from 10 countries participating. Ndungu emphasized the importance of creating more opportunities for golfers across the continent to gain experience and progress in their careers.
The tournament follows the Tour's 2026 East Africa Swing, which has taken players through a series of competitive events across the region. The Lakowe Lakes Classic provides another opportunity for professionals and amateurs to earn valuable competitive experience, Official World Golf Ranking points, World Amateur Golf Ranking points, and Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points.
The Sunshine Development Tour's expansion into West Africa is expected to promote golf development and create new opportunities for players in the region. With a strong field of players and a significant prize fund, the Lakowe Lakes Classic is set to be a competitive and exciting event. The Tour's commitment to providing regular, high-level competition will likely have a positive impact on the development of golf in Africa.
Key points
- The Sunshine Development Tour is making its first foray into West Africa with the Lakowe Lakes Classic in Lagos, Nigeria.
- The tournament features 139 players from 10 countries competing for a US$50,000 prize fund and valuable ranking points.
- The event marks an important milestone in the Tour's expansion into West Africa, promoting golf development and creating new opportunities for players in the region.
