By Victor Okoye
The Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) says it will host the Nigerian Open Golf Tournament from Nov. 16 to Nov. 20, 2027, marking the return of the country’s biggest golf event after nearly three decades.
Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, NGF President, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.
Runsewe said the federation was committed to repositioning golf and raising its standards to meet international requirements.
“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.
NAN reports that the Nigerian Open was held between 1969 and 1999, mainly at the Ikoyi Club in Lagos.
The tournament moved to the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, from 1997 to 1999, where it was last held.
Runsewe said the federation had taken time to prepare for the tournament to rebrand the NGF and establish systems capable of meeting international standards.
He said the rebranding included a new social media strategy, website, insurance policies and the adoption of a World Handicap System (WHS) index.
According to him, the WHS initiative will ensure that golf clubs nationwide adopt a common system as part of efforts to internationalise the sport.
“This is going to be a new beginning for golf in Nigeria,” he said.
Runsewe said the federation expected more than 20 countries from Africa, Europe and other continents to participate in the 2027 tournament.
“We are just opening up a new chapter for golf in Nigeria and Africa,” he said.
He said the NGF was in discussions with Lakowe Golf Resort, Lagos, as a possible host venue, adding that between 150 and 200 golfers were expected to participate.
According to him, the tournament will be a 64-hole, four-day Pro-Am event with world ranking status and an Amateur World Ranking connection.
He said winners would have opportunities to qualify for international circuits, while a competitive prize purse would help attract more professional golfers.
Runsewe said the federation had engaged consultancy and marketing firms to drive sponsorship, branding and promotion of the tournament.
He said the successful marketing and branding companies would be announced within weeks.
The NGF president said the federation deliberately delayed the tournament to build the capacity required to deliver a sustainable event.
“Why rush into what you don’t have the capacity to deliver?” he asked, adding that the preparation period had paid off.
Runsewe said the tournament would also 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.
He said the federation would embark on a coaching education programme for professionals and golf academy coaches.
According to him, golf coaching training was mandatory and increasingly technology-driven, stressing the need for Nigeria to 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,” he said.
Runsewe expressed appreciation to stakeholders and practitioners supporting the federation’s efforts to reposition golf in Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne
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