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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The President of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has revealed plans to bring back the Nigeria Open Golf Tournament between November 16 to 20, 2027, after two decades of absence.
Runsewe made the disclosure while outlining plans to reposition golf and raise its standards in the country, describing as the return of the country’s biggest golf event.
“We are very happy to announce that we will be organising a befitting Nigeria Open Golf Tournament, the biggest golfing event in the country after two decades of absence,” Runsewe stated.
The Nigerian Open was a golf tournament played in Nigeria between 1969 and 1999, generally at the Ikoyi Club in Lagos.
From 1997 to 1999, it was played at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja, where it was last held.
Speaking on the arrangements, Runsewe said the federation had taken time to prepare for the tournament because it wanted to rebrand the NGF and establish systems capable of meeting international standards.
Part of the rebranding, according to him, include a new social media strategy, website, insurance policies and a World Handicap System (WHS) index.
“The WHS initiative would ensure that golf clubs nationwide adopted a common system as part of the NGF’s strategy to internationalise the sport. This is going to be a new beginning for golf in Nigeria,” Runsewe assured.
He further disclosed that the federation will be expecting more than 20 countries from Africa, Europe and other continents to participate in the 2027 Nigeria Open, adding: “We are just opening up a new chapter for golf in Nigeria and Africa.”
Runsewe equally noted that the NGF has already opened discussion with Lakowe Golf Resort, Lagos, as a possible host venue, with between 150 and 200 golfers expected to participate.
“The tournament would be a 64-hole, four-day Pro-Am event with world ranking status and an Amateur World Ranking connection.
“Winners would have opportunities to qualify for international circuits. A competitive prize purse would help attract more professionals. NGF has engaged consultancy and marketing firms to drive sponsorship, branding and promotion of the tournament.
“The successful marketing and branding companies would be announced within weeks,” he said; explaining that the federation deliberately delayed the tournament to build the capacity required for a sustainable event.
“Why rush into what you don’t have the capacity to deliver?” he asked, explaining that the preparation period had paid off.
Runsewe equally noted that the tournament would prioritise youth development to address what he described as a longstanding gap between younger and older generations of golfers.
“Under my leadership, we are changing all of that,” he said, adding that NGF would be embarking on a coaching education programme for professionals and golf academy coaches.
While announcing that golf coaching training is mandatory and increasingly technology-driven, he cautioned that Nigeria must keep pace with global developments.
“Training in golf is more IT-based now as the world is advancing and we don’t want Nigeria to be left behind,” Runsewe said, appreciating stakeholders and practitioners supporting the federation’s efforts to reposition golf in Nigeria.
