Nigeria Open golf tournament returns in 2027 after 28 years

Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, OON, President, Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) delivering his welcome address at the recently 2nd NGF Summit in Abuja. Photo: NAN

The Nigeria Open Golf Tournament will return in November 2027 after a 28-year absence, the Nigeria Golf Federation has announced.

The tournament, which was last held in 1999, is scheduled to take place from November 16 to 20, 2027.

President of the Nigeria Golf Federation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Saturday.

Runsewe said the federation had spent time preparing for the tournament as part of efforts to reposition Nigerian golf and meet international standards.

“We are very happy to announce that we will be organising a befitting Nigerian Open Golf Tournament, the biggest golfing event in the country after two decades of absence,” he said.

The Nigerian Open was held between 1969 and 1999, mainly at the Ikoyi Club in Lagos. It moved to the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, for its final editions between 1997 and 1999.

Runsewe said the federation’s preparations included a new social media strategy, website, insurance policies and the adoption of the World Handicap System index.

He said the handicap system would provide a common framework for golf clubs across the country and support efforts to internationalise the sport.

“This is going to be a new beginning for golf in Nigeria,” he said.

According to Runsewe, more than 20 countries from Africa, Europe and other continents are expected to participate in the 2027 tournament, while between 150 and 200 golfers are expected to compete.

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He said the NGF was in discussions with Lakowe Golf Resort in Lagos as a possible venue for the event.

The tournament is planned as a 64-hole, four-day Pro-Am event with world ranking status and an Amateur World Ranking connection.

Runsewe said the winners would have opportunities to qualify for international circuits, while a competitive prize purse would be offered to attract professional golfers.

The NGF president said the federation had engaged consultancy and marketing companies to handle sponsorship, branding and promotion of the tournament, with the successful firms expected to be announced within weeks.

He said the federation deliberately delayed the return of the tournament to build the capacity required to organise a sustainable event.

“Why rush into what you don’t have the capacity to deliver?” he said.

He added that youth development would be a major focus of the tournament and the federation’s wider plans for golf.

Runsewe also announced plans for a coaching education programme for golf professionals and academy coaches, noting that training had become increasingly technology-driven.

“Training in golf is more IT-based now as the world is advancing and we don’t want Nigeria to be left behind,” he said.